Chiz: Build Permanent, Safe Homes for Residents in Danger Zones, Not Just Permanent Evacuation Sites
In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette that has displaced thousands of people, Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero is pushing for the provision of permanent and safe houses for residents living along the coastlines and danger zones to protect them and their properties, particularly in times of natural calamities.
At the same time, Escudero is proposing to the government to declare as “no build” zones areas it deemed unsafe for habitation aside from what was specified in Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 2018, to perpetually ban people from building houses and other permanent structures in highly dangerous locations.
“Saksi naman ang lahat na sa kada panahon ng tag-ulan at lalo na kung may malalakas na bagyo, nagkukumahog tayong iligtas ang mga kababayan natin na nakatira sa mga baybayin at peligrosong lugar. Mailigtas man natin sila, sira at giba naman ang kanilang kabahayan at ibang ari-arian,” according to Escudero, who headed the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources in the 15th Congress.
“Sa pagbibigay ng tuldok sa ganitong mga eksena at pangitain tuwing may bagyo, hindi lamang dapat nakatuon ang pansin sa pagtatayo ng permanenteng evacuation center. Mas importante at higit na kailangan ng mga taong nasa baybayin at delikadong lugar ang permanente, matatag at ligtas na tirahan kung saan sila rin ay may ikabubuhay,” added Escudero, who is running for Senate in the May national elections.
Escudero noted that other than the identified “no build” zones in the regions devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, the government has yet to come up with a comprehensive list of high risk places in the country that should not be inhabited by the population.
Pending the completion of the list as well as the full execution of RA 11038, which prohibits construction of permanent structures within 40 meters from the coastline of protected areas, the national government and local government units should begin identifying relocation sites for families to be affected and set aside budget for the construction of houses.
In Sorsogon, a province frequently visited by strong typhoons, Escudero said the provincial government has prioritized the development of relocation sites for his constituents who used to live in flood prone and danger zone areas. The sites also accommodated other informal settlers.
Since he became governor in 2019, Escudero said relocation sites have been developed in Bacon, which is now hosting 83 households; Casiguran, 550; and Donsol, 50. The beneficiaries were given lots and financial assistance for building their houses.
The former senator also urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the agency tasked by the law to enforce RA 11038, to hold consultative dialogues with the National Housing Authority (NHA), local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders to address the relocation and housing issues of residents living not only in protected areas but also in locations frequently affected by storm surges and floods.
President Duterte has said he is favor of relocating residents along the “no-build” zones.
“Huwag nating isugal ang buhay at kabuhayan na mga mamamayan tuwing may mga bagyong tulad ni Yolanda at Odette dahil sa kulang at kapos ang paghahanda,” Escudero said.
Super Typhoon Odette has damaged more than 500,000 houses in regions of MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga and BARMM, affecting more than 4 million people and costing at least P8 billion in damage to agriculture.
Odette, the strongest typhoon to enter the Philippines in 2021, also claimed the lives of more than 400 people. #
