City searches dwellers beneath bridges

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Government through different departments are currently going after street dwellers who have returned beneath different bridges as shelter instead of enjoying a more comfortable sleeping area at the South Road Properties.

City disaster chief Harold Alcontin said they need to take out these dwellers and transfer them into a safer location as it has been raining and flooding a lot lately.

Alcontin said the street dwellers’ safety is the city government’s top priority.

So far, there are now at least 20 informal dwellers that had already been evacuated and relocated.

Flooding

Meanwhile, the Task Force Gubat sa Baha has formed a technical working group between the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works and the Department of Public Works and Highways to address flooding in the city.

The Engineering Reaction Force was given importance by former environment secretary Roy Cimatu to organize due to the limited capability of the river commander of the current TF Gubat sa Baha.

On Thursday and Friday, the DPWH is assigned for the dredging, desilting, and declogging of the rivers while DEPW’ schedule is on Saturday and Sunday.

Currently, the areas that are currently on work are in Bonifacio St., Brgy. Tinago, and Brgy.Parian-Sikatuna creeks.

Besides the engineering intervention, Cebu City Police Office is also part of this new technical group which will help enforce the environment laws in the city.

In the same press conference, City Administrator, Atty. Collin Rosell, said that the residents should also help the government to alleviate the flood problems in the city.

“Hinaot mag uban ta niini, dili lang sa pagpanaway kun dili pag aksyon ug pagwagtang niining mao nga baha,” Rosell said.

Rosell also added that “Singapool” (as what the netizens in the social media criticize the city for achieving Singapore-like Cebu City amid flood issues) indicates that there is an issue indeed. — with CNU Intern Kristin De Dios/GMR