Baguio gov’t, DPWH to go against squatters

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government and the Dept. of Public Works and Highways have forged an agreement for eradication of squatters on road rights-of-way, sidewalks and lots covered by national roads and highways in the city.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan Monday told department heads that the city and the DPWH through the city district engineering office have set the protocol on the issuance and implementation of demolition orders to speed up the removal of illegal structures built on national roads.

The mayor said that as per the agreed procedure, the DPWH will be in charge of issuing the demolition orders while the city government will assist by providing the manpower to undertake the dismantling operation.

The mayor said that the enhanced cooperation between the two agencies and the streamlined procedures would be a big boost to the city’s anti-squatting campaign.

During the department heads’ meeting, concerns were raised over the proliferation of illegal structures on the road right-of-ways and sidewalks along the areas traversed by city’s circumferential road project being implemented by the national government through the DPWH.

The project aims to link major access roads going in and out of the city with the intention of decongesting traffic at the Central Business Center and at the same time dispersing economic opportunities in other areas of the city.

The mayor said the mushrooming structures have been brought to the attention of the DPWH and will be targeted for demolition under the DPWH-city drive.

Apart from the circumferential road, other areas that will be covered by demolition activities are the Lion’s Head along Kennon Road and the two other main entrances to the city which are now infested by land speculators.