THE Davao City Government is firm with its decision that all residential structures built along the city's riverbanks must be demolished, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said.
Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on Friday, December 18, that the city government has prohibited dwellers from building residential structures near rivers, levees or dikes, and other danger zones especially during intermittent weather.
"Bawal ang structures diha sa kilid sa sapa. (We prohibit structures along the riverbanks) This is to protect human lives sa possible na incident sa mga sapa (from risks in living along the riverbanks)," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
She said they had been urging families and individuals to voluntarily dismantle their homes and vacate these areas for their safety.
Duterte-Carpio said the city created the Davao River Patrol and Coastal Road Monitoring Team under the supervision of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), which are tasked to monitor and clear the city's five major rivers and coastal roads from residential structures.
The city’s major rivers are Davao, Lipadas, Lasang, Matina Pangi, and Talomo.
She said the monitoring team had already mapped out the riverside communities. But she said they are doing the surveillance and coordination for each area for now.
The mayor said the monitoring team is tasked to talk to the dwellers and urge them to voluntarily demolish their structures and relocate to other areas.
If the residents would not abide, she said the city will enforce the demolition.
However, Duterte-Carpio said several residents in riverside communities had voluntarily demolished their structures after they were made aware of the risks of living in these areas.
"Magpasalamat sa atong mga kaigsuunang Dabawenyos because easily makasabot sila sa explanation sa atong team, kung bawal na siya, unsa basehan, and unsang posibleng impact sa ilaha kung naa mahitabo sa ila. And daghan tang igsuong Dabawenyo (We are thankful to our fellow Dabawenyos who heeded our call because they easily understood the explanation of our team --- on why we prohibit them, what is our basis, and the possible impact that might affect them. Majority of them) voluntarily demolished their structures," Duterte-Carpio said.
Affected dwellers will be referred to the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and City Social Services and Development Office to get food assistance from the local government and possible assistance for relocation, the mayor said.
On October 25, a total of 26 informal settlers in Purok 34, Taal in Bangkal heeded the call of the Davao City Government to voluntarily demolish their structures built on the Talomo River embankment, mostly extensions of their houses.
There were also reports of some residents along and near riverbanks who had voluntarily demolished their houses.
During the radio interview, the mayor also warned of the possible flooding and landslides in the city brought about the rainy season.