Baguio City execs ordered: Demolish illegal structures

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered offices of the local government to immediately demolish illegal structures on titled properties to protect lands here  from squatters and land speculators. 

The local chief executive met with city division heads: planning and development’s Evelyn G. Cayat, building’s Nazita F. Bañez, assessor Maria Almaya Adawe, engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo, legal’s Melchor Carlos Rabanes, legal team and secretariat of city anti-squatting and illegal structures committee to hasten removal of illegal structures.

In the issuance of clearance on road-right-of-way, it was agreed the city engineer will only issue the clearance whether or not the lot being applied by an individual for titling falls within the road-right-of-way of existing city and barangay roads.

It is not within the jurisdiction of the said office to conclude whether or not the said lot being applied for will no longer be needed by the local government for its public requirements.

The city engineering office was also tasked to ensure measurement of city and barangay roads will conform with prescribed standards so there will be no deviations in the measurement of roads in the city allowing applicants to title lands that encroach on road-right-of-way of roads.

Domogan agreed to suggestions there should be a map showing the city’s road network and metes and bounds of roads so it will be easier for concerned offices to determine whether or not there are already encroachments like illegal building structures.

The secretariat of the city anti-squatting and illegal structures committee was requested to hasten issuance of summary demolition orders for on-going illegal construction activities on titled properties, safeguarded and protected lands in the city so removal of erected structures will be easier before these are completed.

Previously, the measurement of the road-right-of-way of city and barangay roads were based on edges of titles issued to property owners but some property owners allegedly extended their properties and  encroached on road-right-of-way of city and barangay roads.

             Technical personnel of concerned offices were tasked to inspect lands being applied for by individuals and groups to ensure properties will not encroach on road-rights-of-way to ease traffic.