CH creates anti-squatting board

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has created a team to run after professional squatters and members of squatting syndicates operating in the city.

Rama said he will personally lead the Cebu City Anti-Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates Board.

The board was patterned after the National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates, which the Aquino administration has recently embarked.

 “Professional squatters” are those persons that already have legitimate houses but still build houses on government properties.

Rama said the city’s anti-squatting board will be represented by the police, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor, Association of Barangay Councils, City Legal Office, Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division, and from the federation of urban poor umbrella organizations.

There will also be representatives from the City Planning Development Office, urban poor sectors from north and south districts, and a representative from the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Among the board’s duties and responsibilities is to formulate policies and guidelines and identify areas that are prone to squatting.

They will also identify the professional squatters, including the concerned government officials who are tolerating such illegal activities in his area.

The board will also provide guidelines in the execution of demolition orders and clearing of illegal structures.

It will also investigate violations of laws or rules on eviction and demolition and will endorse it to the proper government agency or court for proper actions. - THE FREEMAN