Ex-gov Panganiban passes on/ Illegal constructions /Voting

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – First, Yours Truly would like to condole with the family of former Benguet Gov. and provincial board member Jaime Paul Panganiban who passed away last week.

I covered the provincial capital as a newsman when he was still holding the positions in the 90’s and still have fond memories of him gently scolding me for not wanting to eat with members of the provincial board after their sessions.

Later however, I obliged when he invited me for lunch, merienda or coffee but he never allowed me to pay the bill as he would always beat me to it by going straight to the cashier.Maybe, he looked at me as some sort of an ading. 

Being a former newsman, he would also regale us with stories at the now closed Dainty Restaurant, the undisputed media hangout at that time like the story about a pretty singer named Lady Valerie at the Pines Hotel who was introduced to him.

You may read March Fianza’s column in the next page for more on the matter. By the way, Pines Hotel was located where SM now stands. I’ve known Manong Jimmy over the years and one thing I can say, he was an upright man and lived by his principles.

Last time I saw him a few years ago, he was riding a passenger jeep.Farewell Manong Jimmy, may others emulate you as an example of being a true public servant.

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It is high time a crackdown on illegal constructions in Baguio started as these are everywhere – over rivers, sidewalks, government property like schools, forest watersheds and yes even parks. Enterprising individuals for so long have been flouting the law with residents saying these wouldn’t have been erected if government officials were not in cahoots with these squatters. 

These characters have even filed for titles over these areas. It may not be long before somebody stakes a claim over Session Road or city hall if these have not been done already considering we have what they call now Certificate of Ancestral Land Ownership Awards or “domains.” If claimants are genuine Ibaloi descendants, so be it.But if these are carpetbaggers or people from the North as a columnist always rants, then methinks, these guys should ponder what they are doing, considering Holy Week just passed around the corner.   

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Now, skeptics are watching with bated breath what will happen after Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered barangay officials to stop illegal construction activities in their areas.

In a memorandum issued April 3, the mayor also directed barangay leaders to conduct an inventory of all building activities identifying legitimate ones and those not covered by building permits.

He gave them 15 days to undertake listing and submit the same to the city mayor’s office as basis of City Anti-Squatting Commission to issue notices.

“This is in view of the reported proliferation of informal settlers and the boom of alleged illegal construction activities in the barangays,” the mayor said. “Please help the city government in preventing informal settlers from occupying private and public lands within your barangay to help sustain our campaign for the protection of legitimate land owners from professional land grabbers.”

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The mayor early this year also directed the city anti-squatting committee to fast-track demolition proceedings in city “hot spots” infested by squatters.

These include private lots in Camp 7, Bakakeng Central, government property referred to as Benguet-Ifugao-Bontoc-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) lot along Harrison Road and the Baguio Dairy Farm lots.

Parts of BIBAK and Dairy farm lots have reportedly been occupied by elements of the supposedly defunct Cordillera People’s Liberation Army whose members have become the best examples of what being dubious means.

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In a related development, the city council invited heads of the Local Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals (LZBAA) to shed light on applications for exemptions from zoning ordinance and other issues.

Councilor Faustino Olowan said the council needs to be clarified on “many complaints against LZBAA” that reached him.This stemmed from a proposed resolution of Councilor Richard Carino requiring the LZBAA to submit all decisions on applications for exemptions involving construction of buildings, excavation and earth-moving, tree cutting, alteration of landscape or the existence of opposition from the community.

Carino said Ordinance No. 116 series of 2008 requires decision of the LZBAA on granting exceptions and variances “shall be subject to the approval of the city council. There have been observations and reports of violations of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.”

The body approved in 2008 approved Ordinance No. 116 amending section 24 of Ordinance No. 51-2001 (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City of Baguio) by including paragraph 8 which adds a step in the set of procedures for the grant of exceptions and variances where the decision of the LZBAA “shall be subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) wherein application for exemption involves any of the following: construction of building/s, excavation and earth moving, tree cutting, alteration of the landscape, or the existence of opposition from the community.”

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Commissioner  Grace Padaca of Commission on Elections recently announced during the First Regional Women’s Leadership Summit at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet there are about 9.6 million Filipino voters who won’t be able to vote during the 2016 elections unless they  fix requirements mandated by the  Comelec.

Padaca urged voters to ensure they have their biometrics comprising of their electronic picture and their signature which are major requirements needed to enable registered voters to vote.

This,  unlike previous elections wherein voters were allowed to vote by just presenting their precinct number. If voters are not yet sure if they have these requirements, they can visit the nearest Comelec office or visit Comelec’s official website, www.comelec.gov.phor  click precinct finder and enter name and birthdate.

Comelec also made an easier way for senior citizens who are having hard time to go to higher floors of buildings to vote. They were encouraged to go to Comelec offices to inform them because special places will be provided to senior citizens like in gymnasiums where they won’t have to take the stairs.

The Comelec said it will start information dissemination regarding these matters this April to guarantee every citizen would be able to vote next election.

But then, Comelec officials are not even heard in the media or utilizing such outlets through interviews or advertisements to inform the public. But then again, what’s new in this Banana Republic?