By Daisy Jane M. Apit and Myrah G. Acuzar
Davao Today Interns
DAVAO CITY – Six days after one of the country’s biggest fire this year leveled off an islet here, the city government announced that the informal settlers – or squatter families – would still be allowed to return but only after rehabilitation works would have ensured good access roads and safer electrical lines in the area.
It was still unsure if all the 2779 families left homeless in the April 4 fire would be able to return after the rehabilitation, but the Task Force Isla Verde said was already drawing up an area map for housing layout since Tuesday.
“If we don’t do that, there will be chaos,” Ret. Gen. Francisco J. Villaroman chief of the Public Safety and Security Command Center told the weekly forum I-Speak in the Sangguniang Panlungsod here.
Villaroman said the clean-up was already 70-75 percent complete, and it was done after consulting with the barangay captain of Barangay 23-C and inspecting the area.
He also talked about a plan of constructing a fence around the area but did not elaborate.
City Councilor Leo Avila, chairman of the Council committee on transportation and communication also announced in the forum that an underground cabling system was proposed to the City Administrator.
“If we’re going to really come up with a strong endorsement to minimize if not eliminate messy wires and cable which we see on the streets and multiple poles, then we have to start at our own backyard, the City Hall,” Avila said.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said there would be no relocation and that residents would stay in the place after the rehabilitation. He had issued Executive Order No.18 that directed a rehabilitation plan for the area and assigned the city government offices Social Services and Development Office, Engineer’s Office and Housing Office for planning of the temporary houses.
He also directed the Environment and Natural Resources Office to conduct the survey of the legitimate title lot owners, the Health Office for medical assistance, trhe Legal Office, Cultural Affairs, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, General Services Office, Drainage Maintenance, Task Force, Maritime Police and the City Police Office to coordinate the rehabilitation of the area.
The City Council approved an initial P45 million fund for the rehabilitation.
“We still cannot state the exact timetable of because we are still determining the extent of the damage,” Villaroman said.
National government offices such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health have assisted the local government unit.
Meantime, the fire victims have been staying inside the Magsaysay Park and have complained about insufficient supply of necessities.
“Wala pa’y tarong kaon. Usahay panagsa ra mi magkaon. Usahay naa’y balanghoy kay mas barato man siya (Sometimes we dont have food. Sometimes we only eat root crop because it’s cheap)” said Asdaen Gogo Lumo, resident of Purok 4, Brgy. 23-C.
Lumo have also started to build a house in the park. He said he bought the materials and some were donated by concerned citizens.
Wansing Sarapudin, also a resident of Purok 4 expressed aside from food they also need clothes and cooking utensils.
Mayor Duterte assured that there is enough food, and suspected that the victims may not have been informed where the distribution areas are. (davaotoday.com)
