Mayor to pursue demolition of structures within Dairy Farm

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan said demolition of illegal structures within the Animal Industry Forest Reserve, Dairy Farm will push through here.

This as construction activities not covered by building permits continue to proliferate in the area which has now grown to alarming scale.

“There are reports that massive squatting activities are being done and we are not afraid to implement the demolition of these structures, “ Domogan told a media briefing at city hall Wednesday.

Recently, the mayor ordered a full investigation and validation of owners of said structures so the proper notice of demolition can be served.

“The investigation and validation of the owners of the structures is now complete and the proper notice of demolitions will be issued.”

The area is being administered by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry and cover portions of Marcos Highway stretching towards Phivolcs compound to the adjoining Tuba Municipality.

Last year, the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) reported at least 215 structures without the requisite building permits while around 153 new structures were reported this year.

Recently, an Inter-agency composite team was formed composing representatives from the DA, the Baguio City District Engineering Office (BCDEO), CBAO, DENR, DPWH, POSD and PNP for the conduct of census and tagging of structures within the forest reserve.

The data gathered will be the basis for eventual issuance of notices of demolition prior to actual demolition.

The immediate action on these illegal structures is now being prioritized by both the city government of Baguio and the Municipality of Tuba to protect the remaining forest reservation from further encroachment.