CEBU, Philippines - Neophyte Councilor David “Dave†Tumulak vowed to press charges against negligent barangay officials who fail to implement the laws within their jurisdiction, particularly laws that are aimed to prevent calamities from happening.
“Ako maoy mangunay pagpasaka og kaso ngadto sa mga opisyal sa kabarangayan nga dili mopatuman sa balaud diha sa ilang mga dapit. Dili ko mahadlok kon sa sunod eleksyon dili na ko makadaug (I will personally file charges against those barangay officials who fail to implement the laws even if it would cost my reelection),†Tumulak said yesterday after the meeting of the members of the Reduce Danger Zone in Rivers (ReDZ-R).
Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella supported Tumulak’s move. ReDZ-R members discussed yesterday the problem of houses being built within the three-meter easement zones along the riverbanks and creeks.
The group agreed that these structures have to be removed. Although, Tumulak admitted that the government would need millions if not billions of pesos for the relocation of the affected families.
The law provides that living or constructing houses within the three-meter easement zones from rivers and creeks is strictly prohibited. But despite being illegal, such activity has been tolerated by most, if not all government units in the country.
Tumulak however said that the Republic Act 10021 or the Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Law does not provide that the government is obliged to provide financial assistance or relocation sites to people evicted from the danger areas. FPL (FREEMAN)