Relocation of settlers living within danger zones pushed

CEBU, Philippines — Lawyer Gerry Carillo, chairman of the Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDCC), is pushing for the relocation of individuals living within the three-meter easement along the waterways for their safety.

Carillo said there should be no one living along the riverbanks, creeks and shorelines because these areas are considered danger zones.

The three-meter easement means three meters away from the riverbank, which according to law, must be free of any structures.

Based on the city’s current situation, thousands of city residents have their homes within the three-meter easement. These are on top of the commercial structures built on the waterways and within the easement zone.

Officials from the CDRRM Office and other departments met yesterday to discuss lessons brought about by typhoons Agaton and Odette.

Carillo said they will soon implement the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis, which is a method that will show the problem, the outcome, and the solution. Its purpose is to avoid major damage caused by disasters.

Carillo added that their office will seek the assistance of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) for the construction of so-called medium-rise buildings (MRB) that will be intended for the families that will be affected by the clearing of the waterways.

“We are also discussing the relocation of those living in the three-meter easement zone.  They have to be relocated,” said Carillo.

Carillo, however, said that the construction of the MRB requires funding and approval from the Cebu City Council, and should be given immediate attention. — FPL (FREEMAN)