The Quezon City government said it is working hand in hand with the National Housing Authority (NHA) in relocating families living along waterways and other hazard-prone areas.
The Quezon City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (QCDRRMO) has been implementing this commitment prior to the death of two informal settlers living under a bridge during Saturday’s flash flood.
“No more lives will be lost as weather becomes more adverse as a result of climate change.”
“The city will assist the NHA to fulfill its mandate to relocate those living along danger zones. So no more lives will be lost as the weather becomes more adverse as a result of climate change,” said Maria Bianca Perez, QC DRRMO Research and Planning chief.
The NHA is the national agency tasked to relocate families living in high-risk locations, such as waterways and other areas that are dangerous during calamities.
Perez said the relocation of families living in high-risk areas will be among the urgent priorities of the city government under its Drainage Master Plan (DMP).
“Parte ng binubuo nating DMP ang Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRMM) interventions kung saan ire-relocate natin ang mga pamilyang nakatira sa mga mapanganib na lugar at palalakasin ang ating early warning systems sa mga komunidad,” she pointed out.
The QCDRRMO will work closely with the Housing Community Development and Resettlement Department (HCDRD) for the transfer of these families to various relocation sites established by the city government.
Aside from the relocation of families living in high-risk areas, the DMP also tackles the implementation of key infrastructure projects to mitigate flooding in the city.
Perez said QCDRRMO officials recently met with various barangay officials and concerned city departments yesterday where they agreed to revisit the DRRM plan of every barangay, including their respective infrastructure projects.
“Aayusin din natin ang communication procedures, information dissemination at early warning system during calamities at aalisin ang mga bara sa mga daluyan ng tubig.”
“Aayusin din natin ang communication procedures, information dissemination at early warning system during calamities at aalisin ang mga bara sa mga daluyan ng tubig,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto said the city government will extend assistance to the two victims whose bodies were found in Parkway Village in Barangay Apolonio Samson and in Barangay Bahay Toro.
“Taos-puso tayong nakikiramay sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng dalawa nating residente na nasawi sa kasagsagan ng malakas na pag-ulan at biglang pagbaha nitong Sabado,” Belmonte said.
“Magpapaabot ang pamahalaang lungsod ng kailangang tulong sa mga naulila ng mga biktima, kabilang na ang tulong pinansyal at pansamantala nilang matutuluyan,” she added.
One of the victims was already positively identified by her family while the other has yet to be identified.
The QCDRRMO is coordinating with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for the victim’s identity.
