Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Signs to line river banks in Cebu City to warn about floods; no demolition, says CH By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AT LEAST 2,650 structures in 35 barangays along riverbanks will be marked “dangerous sites” starting today, to warn residents of the risks that floods will bring.
The Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council (CCDCC) decided yesterday to suspend any demolition until all home-owners and barangay officials are briefed on where exactly the danger zones are.
City Councilor Gerardo Carillo, CCDCC chairman, said that after the homeowners and the barangay officials are notified, the City will leave it to them to voluntarily demolish their structures.
“I don’t think there is a need to demolish these structures immediately, provided the barangay officials will monitor the houses, especially during heavy rains and flooding, and instruct them to vacate when necessary,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
The CCDCC drew up a list of the danger zones in 35 barangays in the north and south districts during the meeting.
In Barangay Mabolo alone, some 240 structures were identified as danger sites since they are located along creeks and rivers that overflow after a downpour.
Barangays Lahug, Pahina Central, Banilad, Camputhaw, Tinago, Inayawan, Buhisan, Bulacao and Guadalupe each have up to 150 danger sites.
Carillo advised owners of shanties or houses that are precariously perched on riverbanks to vacate their residences during heavy rains and floods.
Very dangerous
“We have taken pictures and videos of some structures that stand in the middle of creeks and rivers and the occupants are in a very dangerous situation, that’s why even before the heavy rains come, we will already warn the residents by placing markers in their premises. They have to leave once the water rises,” Carillo said.
The signs will read, “This is a dangerous area” and will be posted on the houses.
Carillo said the CCDCC will also schedule a river cleanup with the Coastal Management Board to help prevent flooding in the city’s rivers and creeks.
Meanwhile, the City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force has warned the chieftains of two Badjao communities that they will be rounding up mendicants in the coming days.
Carillo said they will discuss with the Cebu City Tourism Commission the possibility of providing the Badjao community with livelihood to keep them off the streets.
He suggested having the Badjaos learn cultural dances and songs that they can present to tourists, which can be a source of income for them.
