Squatter shanties ordered demolished

DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the immediate demolition of the more than 100 shanties and other structures near the Bolton Bridge at the Bankerohan area along the Davao River in an effort to prevent flooding by clearing the river waterways.

The City Engineer’s Office has issued as early as last Jan. 10 the notices to the affected families who were given only seven days to destroy their structures and for them to relocate to other areas.

Duterte was particularly irked upon seeing the pile of accumulated trash along the riverbank made of garbage coming from the said shanties. These garbage, the mayor said, contribute to the clogging of waterways that causes the occurrence of flashfloods in the city. The residents of the area have reportedly asked for an extension of the demolition, and that they be allowed to celebrate the fiesta of their patron saint on Jan. 29.

The CEO order stipulated that the affected houses were usurping the road’s right-of-way of Bolton Bridge in violation of PDs no. 17 and 1096 ( National Building Code of the Philippines).

The law likewise provides that no one is allowed to occupy areas within 15 meters from the riverbanks. It is also deemed unlawful for any person to usurp any portion of a right of way to convert any part of the public highway, bridge, wharf or trail to his own use or to obstruct the same in any manner or use any highway ditch for private purposes.

It was learned that the city government is also planning to develop the riverbank into a promenade which could not only be a tourist attraction but also a venue where families could leisurely spend their afternoons.

The affected families shall be relocated either to Barangays Mintal or Tibungco where the city government has existing relocation sites.

Duterte likewise slammed militant groups who criticized his demolition order saying there is more than enough reason for asking the squatters to vacate the place as they have already caused undue problems to the city’s environmental situation.