Despite Coming Polls: Rama challenges brgy execs to evict danger zone settlers

Vice Mayor Michael Rama challenged barangay officials to prove that they have the political will to evict illegal settlers living in danger zones in their respective areas even if the barangay elections is approaching.

Rama posed the challenged after noticing that some barangay officials are hesitant to act on illegal structures being constructed along river banks, some of which are already obstructing the flow of water causing waters to overflow during heavy rains.

Caretta barangay captain Marciano Ando said he finds it difficult to evict families living along river banks or creeks because the barangay has to find relocation sites for them.

Rama, however, believes that the city is not obliged to provide relocation sites for those families living in these danger zones.

At least 28 houses constructed along the banks of the mouth of the Guadalupe River in barangay Pasil will be demolished anytime now to prevent them from future accidents.

Video footages taken by the Coastal Management Board showed that parts of the houses constructed along river banks have already encroached into the river and this is dangerous, especially during bad weather.

In barangay Caretta, about 70 squatters have constructed their houses along the creek, blocking the flow of water.

“Kanus-a pa man kita molihok. Kon mahadlok kamo nga molihok kay basin og wala nay mobotar ninyo sa eleksyon, mosamot nga kamo ang basulon kon dunay dautang mahitabo,” Rama told barangay officials in a recent CMB meeting.

Rama suggested that the barangay officials use their basketball courts and other public areas of the barangay as temporary shelters for those families who will be affected by the demolition.

The city plans to construct a walk along the three-meter easement of the Guadalupe River, which traverses through 11 barangays, as part of its beautification projects. — Rene U. Borromeo/QSB