DILG lifts ban on demolition, eviction of informal settlers

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) may now resume the eviction of informal settler families (ISFs) in so-called danger areas.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in a memorandum circular dated March 11, has lifted its previous directive last April 2, 2020 postponing all administrative demolition and eviction activities.

The national government ordered the ban last year as the country was under an enhanced  community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the need to limit the movement of people to prevent the virus from spreading.

But with most of the country already under less stringent quarantine restrictions, DILG officer-in-charge Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. said demolition of illegal structures and eviction of illegal settlers can now resume.

“In light of the easing of the quarantine restrictions, and in coordination of the pressing urgency to safeguard the safety of ISFs living in danger areas, the postponement of all administrative demolition and eviction activities  prescribed by M.C. No. 2020-068 is hereby lifted,” Florece said.

According to Florece, the have received reports that poor families constructed shanties in danger areas. He did not give specific locationof the illegal structures.

Florece instructed LGUs to coordinate with agencies that can shelter displaced slum dwellers.