DILG to LGUs: Go after squatting syndicates

CEBU, Philippines - Since the proliferation of professional squatters and squatting syndicates is rampant not only in the urban areas but also in rural areas, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging mayors nationwide to create local committees against squatting.

In Memorandum Circular 2012-004, the DILG states that the local committee shall serve as the operating arm of the National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates in combating the squatting problem at the local level.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who signed the memorandum, said this needs the active participation of local government units (LGUs) through the implementation of anti-squatting measures.

Robredo said that the local governments under Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, are mandated to adopt measures to effectively curtail the nefarious and illegal activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates.

“The government is very serious in addressing the problem, and it needs the active participation of local government units through the creation of their committees,” said Robredo in a directive he issued to all city and municipal mayors.

Robredo also directed all DILG regional directors to submit quarterly reports regarding the identified professional squatters and squatting syndicates, demolition and eviction activities within their regional assignments.

The committee shall be headed by the city or municipal mayor. Members would be the local chief of police, a representative of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), the president of the PCUP-accredited urban poor organization, the duly designated or deputized representative of the HUDCC, the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay of the municipality or city and a representative from the private sector.

The committee’s functions are to adopt the necessary measures to identify and effectively curtail the activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates; identify the names of public officials, private individuals or entities suspected of abetting or tolerating squatting; provide legal assistance to victims of professional squatters and squatting syndicates; investigate cases of violation of laws or rules on eviction and demolition; monitor eviction and demolition activities. – (FREEMAN)