Rich Villamor squatters given deadline to voluntarily dismantle structures

The city government of Pasay City will be forced to demolish close to 50 commercial establishments squatting on a prime 1,500 square-meter area inside the Villamor Airbase if the owners do not voluntarily dismantle the illegal structures before the end of this week.

This was disclosed by the office of Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad who said the city government, with the help of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine National Police and other government agencies, is now preparing for an impending demolition drive.

The ultimatum was issued amid reports that certain sectors instigating the squatters to resist the eviction in the area. The illegal occupants had also been reportedly demanding "exorbitant compensation" from the government for their structures.

Trinidad had earlier warned the squatting business establishments at the Menzi Park area of Villamor Airbase that their presence is posing obstruction to and seriously delaying the completion of the access road to the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA III).

President Arroyo has directed government agencies to ensure the smooth soft opening of the new airport terminal in December this year.

Trinidad said unless the "rich" squatters vacate the area, the DPWH cannot complete a vital road widening project along Manlunas Road. Trinidad warned that unless the widening is completed, Manlunas Road could become a major choke point once NAIA III is opened.

Trinidad also lamented the "stubbornness" of the illegal occupants. He said about half of them were permitted to build their businesses in the area by former Barangay officials provided they dismantle the structures once government requires use of the area. He also disclosed that some of the businesses in the area "merely sprouted without any permission from any government agency."

We cannot tolerate the delay posed by these structures, Trinidad said. We have to keep in mind the greater interest over the business interest of a handful, he added.

Most of the squatting structures are restaurants and service establishments.

The Master Plan for the development of Villamor Airbase has earmarked Menzi Park as a commercial development area. The rise of the new NAIA III terminal has made its speedy development vital in order to support the downstream business and requirements of the new terminal.