MGB recommending Dakit folk relocation

CEBU - The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has finally recommended for the relocation of the 14 families whose houses are located within the waterways in sitio Dakit, Guadalupe, Cebu City to prevent risk in their lives.

MGB senior geologist Ma. Elena Lupo said the area should not be inhabited because the place is identified as flood-prone and it would be very risky for these persons to stay there.

Michael Reyes, vice president of the Landco Pacific Corporation, the developer of the 200-hectare residential project that covers the hilly lands of Labangon, Tisa, Punta Princesa and Guadalupe, offered a free relocation site for the affected residents.

Reyes said if the residents do not like the proposed relocation lot in barangay Sapangdaku, the Monterrazas de Cebu is also willing to offer them another site not far away from their present location.

“Wala’y problema kay andam mi nga motabang nila,” said Reyes in a talk with the reporters after he appeared before the Cebu City Council yesterday.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, who is also the action officer of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, questioned why the lots at sitio Dakit have been titled in favor of private individuals even if they are situated within the waterways.

But Lupo said the matter must be referred to another DENR’s agency, the Bureau of Lands, to conduct an investigation on the matter.

Lupo recommended for constant inspections of the lands developed by the Landco to determine the stability of the soil and for the developer to construct proper drainage system.

Avelina Montano, one of the residents, told members of the City Council that they started to experience flooding in their area after the Landco developed the portions of the hilly lands in Guadalupe.

Reyes said there have already finished constructing eight dikes that would contain the water and mud that are coming from their project.

“Nagpadayon pa mi sa paghimo og dugang mga dikes kay plano namo nga 15 g’yod ka water catchment ang among himuon aron masiguro nga dili kaayo makabaha paingon sa kabalayan ang tubig kun may uwan,” Reyes said.

It was also learned that the concrete perimeter fence constructed by the high-end residential subdivision near sitio Dakit contributed to the flooding because its drainage system could no longer accommodate the volume of water.

Reyes claimed that even if they were not the ones who directly caused the flooding, they have helped the affected residents in providing them with food at their evacuation center last October 14.

Until now, he said Landco has not resumed its development project because Mayor Tomas Osmeña has suspended its development permit sometime in April when it also caused flooding in the area.

City Hall officials said the development permit issued to Landco will be revoked once the DENR cancels the environmental compliance certificate issued to it.  — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)