CCDRRMO: Returning Estero de Parian residents will be turned away, relocation lot forfeited
Elisa Javier, one of the residents rescued from the Estero de Parian, said that she was willing to relocate but also wanted the government to provide them with financial assistance to start over. | Rashe Zoe Sophia B. Piquero
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) said on Thursday, October 12, that permanent relocation lots given to the affected residents of Estero de Parian will be forfeited if they insist on going back to their previous residence.
It can be recalled that residents living at the mouth of Estero de Parian were evacuated due to the risk of getting swept by flood waters when there is a downpour.
READ: Estero de Parian residents say relocation not enough, cry for financial aid, too
The CCDRRMO, alongside the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) and Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE), cleared the Estero de Parian on Wednesday, October 11.
In an interview with CDN Digital, Harold Alcotin, department head of CCDRRMO, stated they would automatically demolish the structures built by returning residents to the Estero.
“Automatic nana siya. Instead of clearing, demolition na gyud nga klaro kay namalik naman sila,” Harold Alcontin said.
He also mentioned that if they insist on going back to the place, it will lead to forfeiture of the permanent lots intended for their relocation.
READ: 33 deaths recorded, so far, from Visayas and Mindanao floods — NDRRMC
Moreover, the CCDRRMO head said residents may find it difficult to return since they will be ‘rejected’ again because of the risk of living in the ‘danger zone.’
“Di na gyud sila pwede mamalik,” Alcontin stressed. (They cannot return).
He stated that they would seek legal action if that happened.
“Pero if mahimo dili lang ingana. Ato lang jud sila pasabton na dili na jud pwede mamalik didto,” Alcontin said. (But as much as possible we don’t want it to reach to a legal battle. We will just explain to them they are no longer allowed to return)
The CCDRRMO is closely monitoring all danger zones in Cebu City to ensure the safety of its residents.
In case they find any residents in a danger zone, Alcontin said they will conduct an automatic clearing operation. /rcg
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