We welcome the bold steps taken by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to rechannel a twisted section of the creek and to open an access road near the mouth.
This access road is intended to separate the river from illegal occupants through efforts spearheaded by Project Redz (Reduction of Danger Zones).
The road opening is part of a bigger plan by the Rama administration to solve flooding in the low-lying areas of the city, a problem that has worsened in recent years due to global warming and the proliferation of settlers at rivers and other danger zones.
By choosing an anti-flooding strategy, Cebu City is addressing related problems of solid waste management, loss of lives during a calamity, threat to the city’s attractiveness as a business and tourism destination, and overall public health.
The REDZ task force did right by showing their plans to owners of commercial establishments in Mabolo who suffer flooding and asking for their support. These business owners are not just victims of flooding, they contribute to the trash build up that makes the area more vulnerable.
Better trash control and building litter-free “green zones” along the riversides and an access road is supposed to reduce, if not eliminate the buildup of garbage.
The other goal is to influence Mandaue City to do its share of clearing out illegal settlers in Mandaue’s side of the creek. That requires a city government response to relocation, which Mandaue has done before.
The hard work of relocation— identifying a site, screening beneficiaries, preparing the area, then the actual transfer of people — hasn’t gotten as much attention as it should from the Rama administration. Now that City Hall has won a court case upholding the right to move out river dwellers, there’s no excuse to hold back.
With this murky area lacking details and determination, it will always be seized upon by political opponents in the Osmeña camp.
While it’s good to hear of Rama’s plans for parks along the river banks, and an innovative man-made river to redirect the flow of run-off water from the mountains, the welfare of river settlers should be confronted squarely.
What are they entitled to?
Will they be evicted with a golden handshake or forced out? Is there a relocation site available ready for occupancy? Will Mandaue City respond?
And most importantly: When will this be done?
Project REDZ must commit to a timetable for change.