‘Sendong aftermath can spur relocation’

The flash floods that ravaged the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in northern Mindanao as well as Tanjay and Dumaguete cities in Central Visayas should not result in dislocation of families living in creeks and rivers, a councilor said.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said while these occupants should move out of the creeks and rivers, they should be provided relocation sites.

“The city has to follow the mandatory requirements for just and humane consideration,” he said.

He said the flooding that claimed the lives of hundreds of people in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan is still fresh in the minds of Cebuanos and this should be used as an argument by the city government to convince riverside occupants to relocate.

Dizon said the city government has the funds to relocate creek and riverside dwellers such as the P78-million loan from the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The city through the Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) has yet to comply with NHA requirements for the release of the funds.

These include a feasibility study, technical plans and the design of structures which the city would wish to built to accommodate concerned families.

Dizon said the City Council also passed a P25-million appropriation in the 2012 budget for the development of existing urban poor housing sites like Budlaan, Pit-os, San Jose and Busay.

Another P28 million for site development was also approved under the DWUP 2012 budget.

Dizon said the city only appropriated P10 million for site development this year.

Dizon also clarified reports that the council was blocking the removal of “danger zone families.”

The council earlier questioned the demolition of structures in sitio San Isidro along the Mahiga Creek.

As chairman of the housing committee, Dizon said he supports the removal of structures from danger zones.

He said the council disapproved Mayor Michael Rama’s refusal to give affected families cash assistance or relocation site.

Rama said in an earlier interview that these were concerns that should be addressed by DWUP.

“It is unfair to say that politics has become a stumbling block to resolving this problem,” Dizon said.

Dizon said the clearing of creeks is more than just a drainage issue.

He said the city should also provide affected families with relocation and livelihood opportunities. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac