Illegal structures set for demolition

THE City Government of Zamboanga has scheduled the demolition of all illegal structures and obstructions in the highways and roads right of way next week.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the demolition is in line with the circular issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which has sought the City Government’s assistance for the immediate clearing of highways and roads right of way of all illegal structures.

A task group, which composed of the District Engineer as the head and personnel from the City Engineer’s Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Mayor’s Office specifically City Licensing Division and the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), was formed to oversee the enforcement of the DPWH circular.

According to Lobregat, the task group will make the rounds of the different villages starting from Tetuan to Licomo in the east coast and from Baliwasan to Labuan in the west coast on Monday to check on all illegal structures built along highways.

He said the owners of illegal structures will be given notices to voluntarily clear the highway within one week to ten days after which the task group will be back to undertake the demolition.

The City Legal Office has opined that such illegal structures are per se considered nuisance and that no Court or legal procedure is necessary to enable the task group to conduct the demolition.

Lobregat said the number of structures to be affected cannot be determined as of yet but stressed that the owners/care takers of such structures will be properly notified.

Lobregat had a series of meetings with village chairmen both from the east and west coasts of the City together with representatives from the DPWH, City Engineer’s Office, ZCPO and other concerned agencies to discuss about the impending demolition. (Bong Garcia)