PSSO Head Angel Sumagaysay said the team tasked for surveillance, monitoring and demolition of illegal structures found that most of the demolished structures are located on top of dikes and under bridges.
“Kadaghanan ana sa Talomo kana ganing sa SIR, Davao River halos hurot hurot na na sya tanan. Sa Panacan pud daghan kaayo. Diri sa Bago Gallera naa mi’y ginademolish, Sumagaysay said in a report from the City Information Office.
He said there are also many illegally-built structures in Panacan which were already demolished. Currently, he said, they are demolishing structures in Bago Gallera.
Sumagaysay said that the structures are mostly made of light materials but some are made of concrete which needs more time for dismantling works.
These structures, he said, are extensions of houses, comfort rooms, kitchen, and cages of animals. Others even built apartments, he added.
He said that as other informal settlers have already settled in the areas for two decades or more, demolition takes time as these settlers need to find areas where they could stay. They are usually accommodated by their nearby family members.
According to Sumagaysay, they coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office for financial and other forms of support to settlers who have to leave their houses.
“Usahay mangayo sila'g time makapangita og lugar so dili man pud dayon namo gina-diretso og demolish, muingon kami nga one week, after one week dire-diretso na na,” he said.
Sumagaysay said the demolition of structures on top of dikes and under bridges came as a verbal order by the former city mayor. In line with the said order, they properly explain to the public the importance of protecting dikes and bridges.
“Ang dike is para sa tubig, depensa sa mga nearby resident kay once man gud lansangan nimo ang dike, for sure ang integrity ana pag masudlan og tubig maguba gyud, worse ang mahitabo,” he said.
Sumagaysay admitted that many dikes, particularly in Bunawan District, have already been damaged because of concrete structures built on top of them. “This is the reason why the team is really pushing to demolish existing structures as soon as possible,” he said.
“Ang purpose ana is protection na siya sa mga flooding, pero nganong ginahimuan na ninyo og balay? Masabtan na nila basta maayo lang ang pagpasabot,” Sumagaysay said.
Facebook Conversations