The Office of the Civil Defense-Davao (OCD-11) is urging local legislators in the region to craft ordinances for the development of relocation sites for residents living in danger zones.

OCD-11 Director, Ednar Dayanghirang, said there is a need for proactive measures to relocate residents from high-risk areas such as flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.

Dayanghirang added that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has identified 2,600 communities at risk of landslides. However, MGB can only provide scientific data and has no authority to enforce relocation.

“Gina-encourage nako sila nga ang mga lokal sanggunian mga konsehal mga board members makialam na gyud ani, dili lang mga mayors pati mga legislators nato kay we need polisiya mga ordinances for example ang MGB nagsulti nga 2,600 ka community delikado sa landslide ang MGB walay ngipon makahatag lang sila og scientific data kinsa may naay ngipon? ang LGU. Pasa silag ordinansa himo silag relocation townsite development aron malikay ang mga tao sa katalagman,” Dayanghirang said.

Dayanghirang also said the National Housing Authority (NHA) is ready to assist in building houses for relocated residents, but the local government units must provide land as their counterpart.

“Ang NHA they are willing to build houses but ang counterpart is LGU maoy ingon sa NHA. I am appealing to all LGUs gikan sa barangay, munisipyo, city, provinces magpalit nata og yuta kung naay mag donate o ancestral domain ang mga CADT pwede naman usufruct,” Dayanghirang said.

One of the houses that was built beside a creek classified as a danger zone in Barangay Matina Pangi, Davao City  is owned by a resident, Ermelyn Quinones, who has lived in the area for 40 years. She even recalled the deadly flood in 2011 that claimed many lives in their community.

Her neighbor, Conchita, shares the same situation. However, despite the risks, they have no other place to live.

“Murag ana gyud…wa gyuy kapaingnan,” Quinones said.