Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2) — An estimated 15,000 families residing in communities along rivers in Davao City will be displaced once the local government declares the areas as “no build and habitation zones.”
Rodrigo Bustilo, operations head of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said the agency has identified areas that are most dangerous to live in.
The CDRRMO identified the following areas as prone to floods: Dike, Phase 3, NHA Bangkal in Barangay Talomo; Purok Lugot, Suraya Homes in Cabantian; Purok 23, Kuot, Davao Impress Subdivision in Barangay Sasa; San Juan Village, Bangkal in Barangay Talomo; Taal Riverside in Talomo and New San Isidro in Buhangin.
Meanwhile, landslide-prone areas are Purok Damayan in Barangay Buhangin Proper; Old Smokey Mountain in Barangay Matina Pangi; Quinones Compound in Barangay Matina Crossing; Purok 29-B, SPDA in Barangay Panacan; Phase 1, Greenland Subdivision in Barangay Cabantian; Purok 46, San Vicente in Barangay Talomo; Phase 3, Wellspring in Catalunan Pequeño; Abrazaldo Compound in Matina Crossing; and Sitio Gulay, Sincere Subdivision in Catalunan Pequeño.
Bustilo said Davao City’s planning and development office is finalizing its list of areas to be declared as no build and habitation zones.
“This is our recommendation because we do not want to rescue always,” he said.
This, Bustilo added, is a long-term solution of the city to prevent loss of lives and property because of disasters: people living in the hazard zones will be evacuated and moved to safer areas.
Four barangays in the city last week were put under state of calamity after experiencing flash floods caused by the rising water level in Talomo river.
Bustilo said they are waiting for a council’s resolution declaring these areas as among the no build and habitation zones.
Second district councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, however, said there is no need for a law, since the city mayor has the authority to pull people out of these areas.
“Naa na sa local government code sa general welfare clause nga ang gobyerno pwede mosulod anytime kung ang kahimtang sa mga tao anaa sa delekadong sitwasyon,” he said.
[Translation: It’s in the local government code, in the general welfare clause, that the government can come in anytime if people are in a dangerous situation.]
