Cebu City project tackles old problem of ‘danger zones’, flooding, 10,000 settlers
People and buildings don’t belong on rivers or creeks which are “danger zones” and causes of flooding.
Five rivers in Cebu City were identified yesterday as the focus of fresh efforts of City Hall to address urban flooding following Saturday’s downpour that left several barangays, including the North Reclamation Area, under water.
The project has a new name, Reduce Danger Zones (ReDZ), but the problem has familiar, old causes – shanties and buildings along rivers and creeks, garbage disposal, silted waterways in need of dredging and the biggest headache – how to move out over 10,000 illegal settlers, which requires political will and a relocation site.
City officials will start inspecting today the five rivers of Guadalupe, Mahiga, Bulacao, Kinalumsan, and Lahug. Guadalupe is the largest river and runs from barangay Sapangdaku to the coastline barangay of Ermita.
“We will review and classify priorities of the different hazard areas in the city. For now, we will focus on the five main rivers which have been identified as the cause and answer to heavy floods,” said Joey Daluz after the first meeting of Project ReDz, which he was designated to head by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
Daluz said members would meet every Monday and come up with an action plan.
Flooding and illegal obstructions in waterways was mentioned yesterday by President Benigno Aquino III as a priority concern in his 4th State of the Nation Address, where he said the government allocated P6.2 billion for flood control throughout Metro Manila.
“Waterways are inalienable,” said President Aquino, which means the channel and a 3-meter easement cannot be owned, sold or treated like private property or used for commercial enterprises.
He said Malacañang would coordinate with local governments to clear waterways of illegal settlers.
Aquino said he has directed the Department of Justice to prepare legal action against those encroaching on the three-meter easement and blocking the flow of rivers.
Political leaders down to the barangay level are usually hesitant to evict river dwellers for fear of losing votes, and the difficulty of removing entire communities who have lived there for many years, even generations, including private subdivision residents and commercial establishments.
“We can no longer close our eyes to this,” said Mayor Rama yesterday, after Saturday evening’s flash flood left main roads in at least 12 barangays under water, including areas that had never experienced flooding before.
The downpour lasted only two hours from past 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with more heavy rains expected during the rainy season.
RELOCATION SITE
The Cebu city government already identified about 10,000 people living along creeks and rivers during a survey more than two years ago, said Councilor Gerardo Carillo.
Carillo told CDN the city government has to identify a relocation site for these dwellers before anyone starts to think of evicting them as this was a major social issue that needs social preparation.
Carillo was chairman of the social services committee during the administration of Cebu city mayor Tomas Osmeña which also faced the problem of urban flooding.
A flood and drainage master plan commissioned by the Cebu city government was completed in 2006, with detailed surveys of waterways, culverts and affected villages but it was never implemented.
The cost of flood control infrastructure at that time was estimated at about P600 million.
How Project ReDZ will go about providing new answers remains to be seen.
“Members will record data on the rivers, identify hazards, make recommendations and submit it to the entire group,” said Daluz.
The presence of river dwellers, communities and infrastructure has narrowed the water channels so that rainwater coming from Cebu city’s mountains can’t drain properly into the sea.
“The groups have to involve the different barangays, residents, and business establishments. It will be a holistic plan for all and will be followed by all. They have to start a movement in their assigned areas,” Daluz said.
“There will be lots of meetings and lots of actions. This affects everybody. We really have to remove all danger in rivers and bring back the glory of our rivers,” Daluz added.
Rama assigned different city officials to assist Project ReDz.
City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and City Attorney Jerone Castillo will oversee implementation and legal action against persons and entities obstructing the waterways.
The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and a beautification team will continue the clearing operations, dredging and declogging of canals, creeks and waterways.
Councilor Nestor Archival, market operations head Raquel Arce and City Hall legal officers will assess the Mahiga Creek, which extends to Mandaue City.
The Guadalupe River was assigned to Councilor James Cuenco, DPS head Dionisio Gualiza and Simeon Romarate, new OIC of the disaster office.
The Lahug river which extends from barangay Busay to Pier III will be handled by General Services Office head Rolando Ardosa and Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos
The Kinalumsan River which runs from the Buhisan dam to barangay Duljo-Fatima was assigned to Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias. The Bulacao River, which starts from barangay Toong to Inayawan,will be assessed by Councilors Dave Tumulak and Hans Abella.
Mayor Rama said he wants to involve Councilor Alvin Dizon who chairs the City Council’s housing committee.
“Without having to raise alarm, we have to work on the matter (of clearing the waterways). That can’t be ignored anymore,” said the mayor.
Mayor Rama’s effort early in his first term to remove illegal dwellers in the Mahiga River was resisted by urban poor residents, who were supported by the Osmeña-led block in the council, including Dizon. The mayor was even brought to court for alleged violation of urban housing laws and the rule against demolition without relocation.
Dizon, in a separate interview, said the relocation of river occupants requires “political will”.
“Yes, we are capable (of relocating them) if the executive department will exercise political will. Under the Urban Development Housing Law, local governments are mandated to pursue relocation on site, in the city and near the city, for informal settlers,” he said.
The City Council approved a P100 million outlay in the annual budget for lot acquisition and relocation site development but Dizon said he has to check with the City Treasurer’s Office if the fund is still available.
The city owns vacant lots but their location in remote mountain sites of Laguerta in Lahug and upland barangays of Budlaan and San Jose have left them largely undeveloped and prone to landslides. /Jose Santino S. Bunachita and Doris Bongcac
