Squatters won’t be tolerated in Baguio, says incoming mayor

BAGUIO CITY – The incoming administration of this mountain resort city will not tolerate squatting in 128 barangays contrary to accusations being issued by disgruntled groups and organizations.

Representative and Mayor-elect Mauricio G. Domogan bared this saying the law must be implemented relative to individuals who were found to have illegally constructed structures within privately-owned lands.

However, he said the local government will try to humanize the effects of the anti-squatting law but if there will be no available means to do so then there will be no recourse but to implement the law to the fullest.

In the case of the National Power Corp. in Barangay Irisan, Domogan said a group of occupants in the area came to him seeking help on how they would be able to construct roads leading to their houses and acquire the lots which they occupied.

Domogan advised the group to organize themselves to form a homeowner's association so they would have the personality to request for the inclusion of the built up areas under the government'shousing project based on agreed rates with the State-run corporation.

Domogan said he never authorized individuals to continue building structures in the place since he had been consistent with his earlier stand that illegal settlers must negotiate with the management of the NPC since the area is a private property.

He said he was willing to help them negotiate with the NPC provided they organize themselves into a homeowner's association to represent the clamor of the affected individuals.

Domogan lashed out at critics who were reportedly spreading unfounded, false and baseless reports that squatters would flourish in the city once he would assume as the next city mayor.

He said local officials must have the political will in enforcing laws so the people will learn to trust the national and local governments in enforcement of regulations designed for benefit of the public instead of just a few individuals or selected groups. -- Dexter A. See