Riparian settlers whose houses fall within the three-meter easement from the rivers will get housing from the city government instead of financial assistance.

Lawyer Gerardo Carillo, chair of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said that as the city government intensifies clearing operations in seven major rivers through the effort of taking back legal easements, thousands of households will get affected.

Carillo told the Philippine News Agency that the “Task Force Gubat sa Baha” (war against flooding) will address issues concerning ordinary residents living along the riverbanks and business establishments lying along the supposed legal easement.

“The final solution is that we will provide them a housing (facility) so that they can now finally have a much safer place to live,” Carillo said in an interview, even as he explained that living along the riverbanks is dangerous during bad weather.

He said the city government is eyeing the medium-rise building as the shelter for the riparian residents.

On Feb. 27, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the “National Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing” (4PH) at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

With the offer, the city officials are optimistic that riparian settlers would voluntarily demolish their houses which will pave the way for the riverbank beautification project of Mayor Michael Rama.

The task force has also been talking with establishment owners to throw the idea of converting rivers into esplanades or underground rivers as added attractions to their customers.

Lawyer Geron Castillo, Rama’s special assistant for special projects, said the bidding process for the construction of the SRP facility will start in June this year.

Cebu City has seven major rivers — Guadalupe, Kinalumsan, Mahiga, Lahug, Estero de Parian, Bulacao and Butuanon. The river in Bulacao serves as a border between Cebu City and Talisay City while Butuanon is a river shared by both this capital city and Mandaue City. (PNA)