QC gov’t, NHA to relocate families in hazard-prone areas

FILE PHOTO: Facade of the Quezon City Hall.

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will help the National Housing Authority (NHA) in relocating families living along waterways and other hazard-prone areas.

This development came after two persons living under a bridge were killed in a flash flood on Saturday, July 15, following a heavy downpour.

“The city will assist the NHA [to] fulfill its mandate to relocate those living along danger zones. So no more lives will be lost as [the] weather becomes more adverse as a result of climate change,” Quezon City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (QCDRRMO) Research and Planning chief Maria Bianca Perez said in a statement on Monday.

The NHA is the national agency tasked to relocate families living in high-risk locations such as waterways and other dangerous areas prone to calamities.

Perez said the relocation of families living in high-risk areas will be among the urgent priorities of the city government under its Drainage Master Plan (DMP).

“Parte ng binubuo nating DMP ang Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) interventions kung saan ire-relocate natin ang mga pamilyang nakatira sa mga mapanganib na lugar at palalakasin ang ating early warning systems sa mga komunidad,” she said.

(Part of DMP are Disaster Risk Reduction and Management interventions where we will relocate families living in high-risk locations and strengthen our early warning systems in our communities.)

The QCDRRMO will work closely with the Housing Community Development and Resettlement Department for the transfer of families to various relocation sites, the local government said.

Meanwhile, QCDRRMO officials met with various barangay officials and concerned city departments on Sunday where they agreed to revisit the DRRM plan of every barangay, including their respective infrastructure projects.

“Aayusin din natin ang communication procedures, information dissemination at early warning system during calamities at aalisin ang mga bara sa mga daluyan ng tubig,” she added.

(We will fix our communication procedures, information dissemination, and early warning system during calamities and remove blockages in waterways.)

For their part, Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto said the city government will extend assistance to the families of the two victims whose bodies were found in Parkway Village in Barangay Apolonio Samson and in Barangay Bahay Toro.

“Taos-puso tayong nakikiramay sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng dalawa nating residente na nasawi sa kasagsagan ng malakas na pag-ulan at biglang pagbaha nitong Sabado,” Belmonte said in a statement.

(We are sincerely sympathizing with the family and loved ones of our two residents who were killed during the storm surge and flash flood last Saturday.)

“Magpapaabot ang pamahalaang lungsod ng kailangang tulong sa mga naulila ng mga biktima, kabilang na ang tulong pinansyal at pansamantala nilang matutuluyan,” she further said.

(The city government will extend help to the bereaved family of the victims, which includes financial help and temporary shelter.)

The city government said one of the victims was positively recognized by her family while the other is yet to be identified.

The QCDRRMO is coordinating with the Quezon City Police District to determine the victim’s identity. — Xander Dave Ceballos, INQUIRER.net intern

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