By Arlie 0. Calalo
08/02/2011 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Quezon City government has set up a plan for a massive relocation involving informal settlers whose shanties are found along waterways and riverbanks.
According to Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, he met with the concerned city officials who have agreed on his proposal to finally resolve the usual problem the local government is experiencing, especially during typhoons.
“We have no recoursed but permanently relocate these affected families whose homes are located near waterways, especially along Waling-Waling and Gumamela Streets in Roxas District and the Calvary Hill and Isla Noah in Damayang Lagi,” Bautista said.
“We want this undertaking the soonest possible time,” the city chief executive said during an emergency meeting of the QC Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (QCDRRMC) held at the city hall.
During the meeting, Bautista reiterated that the planned resettlement of the affected families should not be misconstrued as demolition as the city government has always been committed to provide decent housing to homeless residents.
This is a relocation program that should be undertaken as a rescue effort by the city government, the mayor said.
A resolution was adopted by the council during the meeting to signify the city government’s continuing effort to provide a permanent solution to the problem of informal settlements in Quezon City.
The mayor ordered city’s public order and safety officer Elmo San Diego, who is action officer of the QCDRRMC, to oversee the relocation of the affected families “without prejudice to their rights.”
San Diego will be coordinating with the offices of the city building official, urban poor affairs office, parks development administration department and the general services development department to undertake the relocation effort.
“Over the years, these are the same families we are always relocating or transferring to higher and safer places because they reside in flood-prone areas like waterways and riverbanks,” Bautista said.
The mayor said he wants the local government to prioritize the relocation of informal settler families whose shanties are built right along the San Juan River, Tullahan Rriver and Dario River.
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