CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not amenable to the idea of providing relocation sites to the families that will be affected by the clearing of rivers and creeks as this may encourage opportunistic squatters.
The mayor said he is worried by its long-term effects to the city, particularly the influx of informal settlers who want to take advantage of the fact that the city is willing to give them a relocation site.
Rama said that the city will find other means to assist the affected families like helping them sign up in the “Balik-Probinsya Program” of the provincial government.
The city is also willing to transport them back to their hometowns if they cannot find a decent and legal place to stay within the city.
But the city council has its own stand on the issue which is contrary to the mayor’s view.
During yesterday’s session, the city council passed a resolution urging Rama to ensure his administration’s compliance to the mandatory requirements provided under Section 10 of the Philippine Constitution in the humane clearing or removal of informal settlers.
It is also urging the Squatters Prevention Encroachment and Elimination Division to strictly observe the guidelines provided in Section 28 of Republic Act 7279 for the valid execution of demolition and eviction of houses in riverbanks and creeks.
Guidelines include a 30-day notice to the affected families, demolition must be done during regular office hours with no use of heavy equipment and adequate relocation sites must be provided to qualified families.
Rama said that what the council wants is easier said than done. SPEED is set to start the actual clearing operation while the city government is expected to put up a temporary shelter by the time they start the removal of illegal structures.
Meanwhile, only six out of 13 local government units invited to the New Metropolitan Cebu Consultative Assembly arranged by the Cebu City government yesterday were able to send representatives.
The participants came from the towns of Minglanilla and Cordova and the cities of Danao, Mandaue, Talisay and Cebu.
Representatives discussed their problems and tried to identify a collective solution to these problems. Common problems among participating LGUs were drainage, garbage, traffic, migration, drugs and coastal management.
One of the guest speakers, internationally acclaimed environmental lawyer Antonio “Tony” Oposa, challenged the government to implement the seemingly forgotten law that was passed in 1989 and which he believes is the solution to flooding.
Oposa is referring to Republic Act 6716 or the law providing for the construction of rainwater collectors and development of springs in the country’s barangays.
“Flood is excess water with no receptacle. So the answer to the problem is the rainwater catchment law. Ang lowest portion sa imong yuta, buhoan nimo aron anha mopadung ang tubig,” Oposa said.
A 10-square-meter pond at least one meter deep would be enough, he said. The mountain area must also replicate the Banaue rice terraces.
“Because of climate change, we will experience more and more heavy rains, so we must prepare for that,” he said.
Oposa questioned why the city ordinance requiring all houses to build cisterns was not implemented. But he hopes that it will be implemented soon as the new administration has shown the political will to solve the issue on flooding.
Oposa said that within this year, his group might sue in court the barangays and LGUs who will not implement environmental laws.
“Ikiha nato sila to remind them that there is a law. We don’t need a drainage master plan. What we need are water catchments. Ablihan sad nato ang atong mga canal and make open streams,” Oposa said.
In the area of traffic, Oposa said that he has gathered over 3,000 signatures and will be gathering more, to support the ordinance they drafted that will create pedestrian-friendly streets in the city.
The ordinance he is proposing seeks to change the layout of main roads in the city where 30 percent of the road shall become sidewalks, 30 percent as bicycle lanes, 30 percent for mass transport like bus or train and 10 percent as urban gardens.
This layout phases out the Public Utility Jeepneys that will be converted into mini-trains. It also discourages the use of private cars and encourages mass transportation.
Oposa said that the planned Bus Rapid Transit of the city complements their proposal.
According to the Local Government Code, he said, 1,000 signatures can petition the local council to pass an ordinance that will be beneficial to the community.
They are planning to present their petition to the city council on June 5, which is World Environment Day. — /BRP (FREEMAN)