(February 9, 2012) – Butuan City’s Task Force Likas had its first organizational meeting today at the City Mayor’s Office Conference Room. The group was organized by City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. by virtue of Executive Order No. 53, which was signed on January 13, 2012, to relocate all settlers along the floodway zone of the Agusan River. This was done to prevent the risk of lives, similar to what happened in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan at the height of Tropical Storm Sendong. Task Force Likas is a composite team composed of representatives from Butuan LGU, PNP, CDRRMC, DPWH, CARBDP, NHA, ANECO, BCWD, PCUP, and concerned barangays. 

          In his message, Mayor Amante emphasized the urgency of the relocation given the unpredictability of weather patterns. “For us, there’s no tomorrow. Disaster may strike anytime,” Amante said. “It may take years to complete the relocation but what is important is that we start doing what we can today”, he continued.

Mayor Amante also acknowledged the initiative of the late  Mayor Democrito Plaza II who started the relocation of informal settlers under the Magsaysay Bridge in 2003 through the Balangayan Butuan Project. The project brought down the number of families for relocation from 6,000 to 4,800 as of January 2012. Mayor Amante also added that the City Government needs a total of Php575 Million to complete the relocation, of which Php141 Million was already spent since 2003. Given the financial challenge, Mayor Amante is hopeful that the national government will intervene and provide funds for the project. He committed that he will discuss the matter during his upcoming meeting with DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and DBM Sec. Butch Abad. 

During the open forum, several issues were raised by the participants, particularly from the barangay captains of the affected areas. Some Punong Barangays expressed their concern over the possibility of the relocation of entire barangays especially along the west bank of the Agusan River.  

A workshop was done in the afternoon by the different sub-committees of Task Force Likas to allow them to come up with their initial action plan according to their specific tasks. These plans were then presented to the body to solicit further inputs from other members.  

Task Force Likas intends to start the intensive information campaign among the settlers on February 20, 2012. Dismantling of settlements will start by March this year with priority on houses that are currently encroaching on the waters of Agusan River. – CMO-PIO