Local execs’ dilemma: Informal settlers hamper rescue ops, but they also bring in votes

The local chief executives of flooded areas in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces on Friday said they are priotizing the relocation of informal settlers who were the worst affected tropical storm Ondoy.

In a meeting at Camp Crame to draw up post-Ondoy rehabilitation measures, the mayors and governors indicated that they are now dealing with old squatters, or those whose shanties were washed away, and new ones, or those who used to own lots and houses but whose properties were destroyed by the floods.

The local officials told Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno that illegal settlers, particularly those living near rivers and creeks, are stubbornly returning to the ruins of their shanties when water subsides, and evacuate again when the water rises. Some simply wouldn’t leave.

Mayor Marides Fernando, whose Marikina City is one of the most disaster-prepared yet highly damaged areas, said “there’s no way for people [who used to live] along the river to go back.” Yet they continue to congest the streets in the area, making it difficult for rescuers to get into the area.

Fernando said those people need to be educated about the dangers of living along the riverbank.

Force evacuation
Mayor Mon Ilagan of Cainta, Rizal, east of Metro Manila, said the local government has a preemptive evacuation plan, but the squatters are just wouldn’t cooperate. “Matigas ang ulo nila (They are hard-headed).”

Fernando asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to empower the police to help the local government units (LGUs) force these informal settlers to be relocated.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, however, said that some local officials may not necessarily agree to forcing squatters to evacuate their damaged shanties because the 2010 elections are approaching. Demolishing what’s left of the shanties might cost the local politicians votes from these informal settlers, he said.

“There must be a relocation site before you remove these squatters,” Lim said.

Vice President Noli de Castro has been proposing a relocation site for all flood-affected families somewhere in San Miguel, Bulacan, but Mayor Ilagan finds it unfeasible—the relocated families may not find sources of living in the new site. He said a “hollistic approach” to the problem is needed.

Useless floodgates
Candaba, Pampanga, Mayor Jerry Pelayo suggested that LGUs stop issuing permits for construction in low-lying areas, so as to avoid flooding.

Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio, for his part, stressed the importance of prompt advisories from the Metopolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which is in charge of the flood control program in the national capital region.

Eusebio said that they were not informed by MMDA, which is chaired by the Marikina mayor’s husband, that the flood gates wouldn’t be opened. When the flood water couldn’t be contained anymore, most residents were caught unprepared for the surge. Most parts of Pasig City are still flooded.

“Naglagay pa tayo ng floodgate kung di naman magagamit (Why did we even put up floodgates if we wouldn’t use anyway)?,” he said.

The proposals for rehabilitation and relocation gathered from the LGUs will be submitted by Puno to the National Disaster Coordinating Council and to President Arroyo for further action. (Newsbreak)