Rebuttals Script

Dredging a contaminated pond or lake can give it a new life. By removing sediment, you
also remove pollutants and excess dirt, resulting in clearer, cleaner water. You can then use the
pond or lake to water livestock or crops. You could also raise fish or aquatic vegetation. Given
that for thousands of years, Pasig River had been used for navigation, settlement, and as a
source of food and water. Why don’t we bring its purpose back by doing River Dredging?

As we all know here in the Philippines, most informal settlers that has been relocated are
just going back to the squatters area. And WHY is that? Because they sell the housings
provided by the government. "Many families are drawn back to the cities to find employment
that would provide for their needs, ending up living again in informal settlements that are
embodiment of abject poverty, social exclusion and unsafe housing,” as also said by House Bill
(HB) 5 author and speaker Martin G. Romualdez and Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and
Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list. With that being said, why don't we focus on other solution, that
will also be beneficial to those living poorly around the area.

According to Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Oplan Lumikas para Iwas
Kalamidad at Sakit (LIKAS) aims to relocate 120,000 informal settler families (ISFs) from danger
areas along major waterways in Metro Manila. Aside from a 2008 Supreme Court writ of
mandamus, the establishment of Oplan LIKAS is also rooted in the advocacy of civil society
organizations (CSOs), especially the urban poor sector, to increase the funding in social
housing and in-city relocation. While Oplan LIKAS had a number of tangible achievements and
legacies, the integration of CSOs and the urban poor approaches has experienced major
obstacles. Currently, Oplan LIKAS still promotes classical off-city relocation projects and
fails to secure the welfare of their beneficiaries. These progressive foundations, however,
were not easily translated into practice. As such, the setup of the project contained bias toward
the faster solution, namely, classical off-city relocation, which positioned the NHA as the main
implementing agency. Which is proven that after some time, they all go back to being informal
settlers because of lack of livelihood on the relocation area.
 When it comes to safety and effectivity, the location should always be considered carefully and
dredge where we know it will make a difference to reduce flood risk. It is assessed each situation
individually to understand the effectiveness, sustainability, environmental impact and value for money
that dredging and desilting will provide. When it is concluded that dredging and desilting is economically
viable, will not harm the environment, and will reduce flood risk, then it will be undertaken. The work is
also designed and undertaken in a way that improves the river habitat or, if that is not possible,
minimize any impact as far as we can. Of course this type of projects need proper engineering and
planning to be carried out successfully and avoid danger and hazard.