THE 1,000 death toll (and climbing) inflicted by Tropical Storm Sendong in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in northern Mindanao and Dumaguete and Tanjay cities in Negros Oriental was caused by many factors, not least of which is the seeming lack or total absence of political will in keeping people away from riversides and creeks.
River dwellers were among the first to perish in Friday’s flood that hit in the early hours of the morning. Most of these occupants lived below the bridge that connects Cagayan’s city proper with other barangays, including the site of a landfill now hosting decomposing bodies of disaster victims who wait identification.
The settlers who lived below the bridge were part of the community that lived near Cagayan de Oro City Hall, which is situated near the river. Friday’s rains flooded the newly renovated City Hall building up to the second floor, driving away workers who reported to office last Monday.
The watery deaths should bring to mind Cebu City Hall’s ongoing debate over the fate of illegal settlers in the Mahiga Creek and other small communities that live near riverways.
It’s tough medicine but one that needs to be given.
To save lives, the three-meter easement zone on both sides of creeks and rivers need to be cleared of obstructions, human and otherwise.
Whether residents feels unwanted or not, they live in a danger zone. The risk falls not only on immediate dwellers, but communities farther away who have to deal with floodwaters caused by indiscriminate trash dumping.
In dry weather, it’s difficult to be the government bully driving out urban poor families who are called informal settlers, to be “politcally correct” or illegal dwellers and squatters, to be equally blunt.
Whatever the name, families living in harm’s way shouldn’t have to.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the Cebu City Council should agree at the minimum on this point.
The danger is real; the solution takes time. The answer comes too late when a torrential rain overwhelms Cebu City’s inadequate sewearage system.
Like Cagayan de Oro, Cebu has long lost its lush forest cover. Satellite scans estimate pockets of less than 2 percent remaning.
The flurry of tree planting in the uplands by eco-friendly groups are investments in the future. They can only stem some runoff and erosion, but nothing of Biblical proportions like Sendong’s fury.
The action plan is clear: Relocate potential victims. Establish a proper drainage system. Reduce garbage that clogs the sewers. Regreen the mountains.
Let’s not wait for Sendong’s version in Cebu.