Sunday, July 20, 2008 LGUs get more power v. squatters
LOCAL governments can now demolish houses squatting on government or privately-owned lots without being hampered by the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).
Malacańang transferred to the local governments the function of clearing illegal squatters, under Executive Order 708.
This replaces Section 1 of another order (EO 152) that President Arroyo issued in 2002, when she named PCUP “the sole implementing agency” of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.
The new EO invokes local autonomy and the thrust of decentralizing functions of national agencies to local units.
But it also requires LGUs to create a Local Housing Board that will monitor squatting, ensure that demolitions are humane and that those evicted have a relocation site.
Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Mario Amores said that while LGUs can respond quickly to squatting, finding a relocation site remains a problem.
Mactan first
The lack of funds restrained Lapu-Lapu from implementing the proposed 24-hectate New Town Development Estate in Barangay Canjulao, Amores said.
City Hall recently learned about some private individuals who secured tax declarations for the Canjulao foreshores, which reportedly reduced to eight hectares the proposed socialized housing zone.
Barangay Mactan, which had requested the City’s help in demolishing illegal structures on its shores, will be the first focus of the City’s campaign against squatting, said Amores.
Barangay officials want their shores cleared of illegal structures, which they said have become eyesores and damaged the marine environment.
But the demolition will not include the famous “sutukil” (sugba, tula, kilaw) restaurants that occupy almost half of the Mactan Shrine area.
‘Symbols of incompetence’
Efrain Pelaez Jr., head of an anti-graft group in the city, has described the structures as symbols of City Hall’s incompetence and corruption, as construction on shorelines is prohibited by law.
These structures’ occupants reportedly dump their trash into the sea.
Barangay officials found that “the shed owners have poorly maintained the sanitary conditions and are not conscious of ensuring precautions” to protect the environment, a barangay ordinance said.
They asked for manpower and equipment from City Hall for the demolition.
The number of structures to be demolished is not known yet. To support the legality of the action, the barangay approved a separate ordinance revoking the dwellers’ occupancy permits.
Paz Radaza, barangay captain and wife of Mayor Arturo Radaza, said the initiative is meant to curb coastline squatting and promote cleanliness. (AIV)
