Relocation of squatter families in QC flood-prone areas ordered

MANILA, Philippines—Squatter families whose dwellings are in flood-prone areas in Quezon City will soon be relocated to safer communities in anticipation of heavy flooding during tropical storms and typhoons.

Settlers whose shanties are found along waterways, particularly in District IV, are topmost priority.

Mayor Herbert Bautista ordered the immediate relocation of the settlers during an emergency meeting this week at the height of Tropical Storm “Juaning,” which dumped heavy rains on large areas in Luzon, especially the Bicol region.

The official identified Waling-Waling and Gumamela streets in Barangay Roxas District, and Calvary Hill and Isla Noah in Barangay Damayang Lagi as among the areas which are near waterways and creeks.

Both are low-lying areas, too, and are often easily flooded during heavy rains.

The city government is also planning to include informal settlers along the banks of the San Juan River, Tullahan River and Dario River.

Bautista, however, clarified that the resettlement of the families should not be misconstrued as a demolition effort.

“The relocation is to be undertaken as a rescue effort by the city government … We want this undertaken the soonest possible time,” Bautista said in a statement.

The city mayor led the emergency meeting of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council on Tuesday.

The QCDRRMC also adopted a resolution to signify the city government’s efforts in coming up with a permanent solution to the issue of informal settlers in Quezon City.

Bautista said it was about time that the problem of informal settlers is addressed permanently.

“In the past, these are the usual families that we rescue in times of heavy flooding. It’s about time we give a permanent solution to this,” he added.

Elmo San Diego, QCDRRMC action officer and chief of the Department of Public Order and Safety, will oversee the relocation of the affected families “without prejudice to their rights.”

Other departments like the Office of the City Building Official, Urban Poor Affairs Office, Parks Development Administration Department and General Services Development Department are involved.