A councilor in Davao City is pushing for the establishment of a relocation area for informal settlers living in danger zones in the city.

Councilor Diosdado Mahipus, Jr. said the city should find a safe shelter and disaster-free community for families considered as informal settlers.

“Kinahanglan nato og luwas nga lugar mangita ta og property sa city nga pwede nato magamit atong atong ipa-allocate sailaha or tukuran og building not necessarily to turn it over to them in the usual concept of giving them full ownership because there is this concept of giving them usufruct rights to make use of the property pwede ta mutukod og midrise building,” Mahipus said.

Meanwhile, Councilor Luna Acosta reminded residents to evacuate immediately once authorities would say so for their safety.

She said the ordinance on Integrated Preemptive and Emergency Evacuation System has already been implemented during natural or mad-made calamities.

Violators will be fined and will be forced to evacuate.

“If with force atakihon nimo balik ang nag-evacuate sa imoha, you can be charged with physical injury. They are just doing their job to make sure that you are safe. Kung ikaw gahi og ulo ug kung makig-away ka didto, worse comes to worse, sumbagon pa nimo ang rescuer, pwede ka sampahan og kaso,” Acosta said.