DAVAO CITY – The Public Safety Security Command Center (PSSCC) reported Wednesday that 130 illegal structures constructed on dikes on the Davao River in Barangay 76-A Bucana here have been demolished to protect residents from the dangers of flooding.
PSSCC head retired Police Lt. Col. Angel Sumagaysay said the illegal structures dismantled last April 24 were mostly extensions of houses such as kitchen, comfort room, and living area, necessitating clearing operation to maintain the structural integrity of the river dikes.
He said illegal structures could destroy the river dikes.
Clearing the riverbanks of residential structures will also protect the lives of residents who are vulnerable to the risks brought about by flooding during the rainy season, according to Sumagaysay.
“It is for the safety of our people in case there is an overflowing of water, especially during the rainy season. If there is flooding, the first that will be affected are the people residing on dikes,” he said.
Sumagaysay added that clearing operations have so far not encountered resistance as “residents have been cooperating well” during dialogue where city officials explained the plans of the city government and the dangers of residing along riverbanks.
The official urged riverside residents to vacate and voluntarily dismantle their structures because it is “illegal to inhabit river dikes.”
“The dike is for the river, it should not be inhabited by people and build structures on top of it,” he said.
He said the PSSCC had earlier cleared structures built on top of creeks and dikes in Talomo, Toril, Bunawan, and Panacan.