ROXAS City, Capiz – The Panay River Development Council (PRDC) agreed on Oct. 13, 2016 to remove illegal structures and relocate informal settlers from the province’s biggest river and its tributaries.

“Illegal settlers along the river and its tributaries are the most vulnerable to hazards that come with living there,” said Capiz provincial legal consultant Ronnie T. Dadivas.

“Local government units (LGUs) are expected to provide relocation for those affected by the relocation. If they can’t provide, they must give financial assistance for 60 days of the minimum amount of minimum wage,” Dadivas added.

Other actions the council approved were:

• conduct of ocular inspection;
• abate industrial/wastewater and sewerage dumping;
• abate unauthorized dumping of garbage most especially in the market and other commercial establishments;
• concerned LGUs to provide relocation or assistance to affected families and enjoin building inspectors to monitor closely similar illegal activities along Panay River and its tributaries;
• file charges against violators of law including public officials if the latter neglect their duty; and
• public information campaign stating the reasons to protect, manage, and preserve Panay River.