Funds needed to implement order to clear danger areas

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that the order of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to remove all shanties near creeks and coastal areas can be implemented but hopes that the national government releases funds for such.

Rama said they are going to implement the directive of the President as soon as they get the necessary funding and the conduct of an extensive study of its implementation.

“We have to consider budgetary constraint and study possible repercussions, they can’t just be placed in the streets,” Rama said.

He said the order will certainly result to possible displacement if the government will not properly relocate them.

“There has to be prioritizations and if the national government is segregating an amount, why not,” he said.

Earlier this week, Rama ordered all barangay captains especially those whose places include coastal areas as well as rivers and creeks to prepare them in case there would be a need to evacuate the people.

Rama called the meeting in the wake of typhoon Pepeng that is now hovering around northern Luzon.

He said the order was already included among the plans of the Coastal Management Board (CMB) for this year.

There are around 2,000 households living in the coastal areas and on the banks of rivers and creeks.

Other than the flood-prone areas, the City through the members of the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) also warned residents and officials of landslide-prone areas to be alert during rainy weather. – Ferliza Contratista/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)