Number of houses affected by clearing operation increase to 614
The number of houses up for demolition as the government is set to implement its dredging works in several creeks in Jaro, Iloilo City increased by 30 more houses. The number of houses to be affected now reach 614.
The increase was noted in the latest survey conducted by the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (Icupao) in areas covered by the clearing operations, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Treñas hopes that the number of houses subject for demolition will no longer increase. He assured proper validation is being made on the affected houses.
Prior to yesterday’s interview with the mayor, the figure on the number of houses affected by the dredging works only posted at 584 houses. The occupants of the 614 will be relocated in the city’s different relocation sites.
The Icupao and the Department of Public Works and Highways are now coordinating with the affected families. No date has been set yet on the demolition before the dredging works start.
The creeks to be dredged include those in Dungon B, Jaro until Magsaysay La Paz. The Buntatala and the Mansaya creeks are also part of the dredging works, said Treñas.
The importance of the dredging works covering 13 barangays in Jaro and Lapaz was determined after Typhoon Frank last year. The dredging works is funded by the city’s P50 million share from the Paglaum Fund, the rehabilitation fund intended for Panay and Negros after Typhoon Frank hit which left millions of pesos worth of damage in government, private properties and claimed lives. The destruction brought about by Typhoon Frank in 2008 has placed Iloilo City under the state of calamity.
The dredging works will not affect the original water ways of the Iloilo River. The clearing operations are primarily for the improvement of the waterways and not to rechannel the original water ways, said Treñas.
The dredging of the creeks which is vital in the flood control program of the city was then recommended by the chief executive to be incorporated in the phase II of the Iloilo Flood Control Project. However, his request was denied considering the availability of funds for the flood control project.
The public works department has already bid out the dredging works. Details on the bidding of the multi-million project are available at the office of DPWH-6 regional director Rolando Asis, said Treñas.