Task force pushes demolition of Busol ‘squatter’ houses

By Joseph Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY – A government task force is now going after “squatters” at the Busol watershed here urging officials to issue demolition permits against “illegal structures” in the area to protect this pine city’s main water source.

In a meeting of the Baguio Regreening Movement, the task force identified owners of two new shanties located along Purok 4, East Bayan inside the watershed as certain Junie and Carlos Aluda.

The two shanties were dismantled earlier but reconstructed by heirs of Gumangan and Sumangen who claimed the area was part of their ancestral land.

The task force composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Baguio Water District and city police also asked for demolition orders against illegally constructed houses of individuals named only as Walis. Daluyen, Panay, Haban and Marcelino.

City councilor and BRM chairman Erdolfo Balajadia said police and the city government should immediately stop unlawful construction of houses in the watershed.

The BRM and BWD, as a result, said they will set up three guard houses for the task force. “We should be vigilant and report any illegal activities being done in the watershed,” Balajadia said.

Supt. Constante Chinayog Jr, deputy city police director for administration said that they will detail a police unit to man the guard house.

Rep. Bernardo Vergara also released P1 million from his Countrywide Development Fund for the protection of the watershed.