120 illegal Gibraltar stalls demolished to start satellite market

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government last Dec. 4-7 demolished 120 illegal stalls occupying a lot intended for the barangay satellite market project at Gibraltar barangay.
    The move was by virtue of demolition order 49 series of 2023 issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    Engineer Donald Gas-ib, head of the City Buildings and Architectures Office (CBAO) Investigation and Demolition Division said that apart from the 120 structures, there were five others dismantled voluntarily by their owners.
    The demolition was executed to pave the way for the construction of a four-storey upgraded satellite market building which will serve Gibraltar and other barangays in the vicinity.
    In his report, Gas-ib said they were first met with resistance by the stall owners but this was quelled subsequently.
    The operation was carried out with the assistance of a composite team composed of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) which provided security, Emergency Medical Service which provided stand by medical service and the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Office which provided relief assistance to the affected families.
    The Commission on Human Rights representatives and barangay officials were also present to observe the proceedings.
    Gas-ib said investigation revealed that the vendors have been occupying and leasing out the stalls without authority.
    The vendors opposed the satellite market project and refused to vacate the premises resulting in the delay in the implementation of the project.
    With the area now cleared, the contractor can take over the area to start the project, Gas-ib said.
 

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2-storey building built in alley demolished

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- A two-story structure built in an alley at Lower Pinget barangay was demolished last Oct. 14 by virtue of Demolition Order No. 21 series of 2019.
    Engineer Donald Gas-ib, head of the investigation and demolition division of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) said the structure is made of "mixed construction materials with a building footprint of more or less 5.5m x 8m. constructed on a perpetual alley supposed to be serving the interior lots."
    The city demolition team was joined by the Baguio City Police Office as peacekeeping force.  Also present were the barangay officials lead by punong barangay Pablo Pawi and Commission on Human Rights personnel led by director Romel Daguimol, a lawyer who observed the operation.
    "We are glad that the demolition order was implemented smoothly throughout the day without resistance or untoward incident," Gas-ib said. 
    Gas-ib said the CBAO had fully implemented a total of 15 demolition orders since January this year, 11 of which covered safeguarded lots like watersheds and four, private lots.  Each order involved several structures.
 

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10 shanties demolished at Camp 7 watershed

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Ten shanties illegally built within Camp 8 watershed were dismantled Oct. 10 by the City Demolition Team.
Engineer Donald Gas-ib, head of the investigation and demolition division of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) said this is pursuant to Demolition Order No. 28-2023 issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    He said there were at total of 17 identified illegal shanty-structures in the area and seven were earlier voluntarily demolished by the owners.
    On Oct. 13, 2023, a two-story structure was also demolished at Pinget barangay also covered by another demolition order.
    Gas-ib said the building is located within an alley that is part of the right-of-way of a private lot.
    The team was assisted by the Baguio City Police Office in both demolition activities.
    The operations are part of the continuing aggressive campaign against squatting all over the city.
 

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10 shanties demolished at Camp 7 watershed

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Ten shanties illegally built within Camp 8 watershed were dismantled Oct. 10 by the City Demolition Team.
    Engineer Donald Gas-ib, head of the investigation and demolition division of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) said this is pursuant to Demolition Order No. 28-2023 issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    He said there were at total of 17 identified illegal shanty-structures in the area and seven were earlier voluntarily demolished by the owners.
    On Oct. 13, 2023, a two-story structure was also demolished at Pinget barangay also covered by another demolition order.
    Gas-ib said the building is located within an alley that is part of the right-of-way of a private lot.
    The team was assisted by the Baguio City Police Office in both demolition activities.
    The operations are part of the continuing aggressive campaign against squatting all over the city.
 

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Council: No study, no demolitions in Baguio military reservations

BAGUIO CITY – The City Council recently approved recommendations of its committee on laws, human rights and justice in its 2nd endorsement dated Sept. 14, on  demolition orders issued to occupants or settlers of portions of the Camp Allen, Navy Base and Philippine Military (PMA) reservations in the city.
    Under resolution 574, series of 2023, the Council said the committee recommended a review of actions be taken and to conduct thorough study for the adaption of a policy to address concerns relative to occupants or settlers of portions of military reservations in the city before demolition orders issued for said occupants in the places are implemented.
    The Council said reservations, all under the administration of PMA are covered by Presidential Proclamation No. 2313, series of 1983 that declared Lots 140 and 141 situated in the Baguio townsite, formerly United States Fleet Naval Rehabilitation Center under Executive Order No 1254 issued on October 10, 1910 at Navy Base as military reservation; Proclamation NO. 254, dated August 5, 1929 that established the Philippine Constabulary reservation otherwise known as Camp Allen and Proclamation NO. 2405, series of 1985 that reserved for military purposes certain parcels of lands of  the public domain in Fort Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City.
    The council said there was no question the lots that were occupied by who may be considered informal family settlers are portions of the said reservations, except probably that portions subject of a notice to vacate issued by PMA to Emily M. Dizon and Estrella B. Gaab of the USAFIP, NL dated August 18, 2023 which may be, as claimed, to be within that portion excluded from the operation of Proclamation NO. 254 for use as headquarters site of the USAFIP, NL as per Presidential Proclamation No. 424 issued on June 27, 1968 and which the council intends to clarify with a meeting or session with concerned offices.
    The body added that the occupied portions of the said reservations are fully built-up as described in the report of regional coordinator     Micheline M. Inay of the then Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in Northern Luzon dated July 10, 2015 with respect to the PMA reservation

    According to the council, common policies can be adopted for the occupied portions of the reservations which may include the possibility of the areas being considered for land banking or identified and included in the inventory of suitable lands for the implementation of the Pampanbansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program under Executive Order No. 34, series of 2023 which empowered the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to administer and include in the said identification and inventory idle government lands or lands that have not been used for the purposes for which they have been originally reserved as certified to by the city.

    The council added that affected structure owners who have sought the help or intervention of the city were advised that the body cannot interfere with the functions of the implementing office to which manifested appeals and/or position papers will have to be submitted or followed up and documents pertinent to the same shared by the Committee on urban Planning, lands and Housing are attached for additional reference and clarification. By Dexter A. See

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Fast demolition of illegal Baguio buildings pushed

‘Use simplified procedure’ 

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- A simplified procedure on disposition of cases was proposed by the City Legal Office to stop increase of illegal structures and squatting on safeguarded lands.
    The City Legal Office proposed several amendments to executive order No. 51, series of 2020 to shorten the procedure on the issuance of demolition orders for illegal structures – those without building permits and those encroaching safeguarded lands.
    The city wants expanded jurisdiction of the anti-squatting and anti-illegal structure committee (ASAISC) over illegal structures within titled private properties except when there is an issue of ownership or boundary dispute.     In the old order, the committee has no jurisdiction on structures within private titled properties unless there is public interest.
    Atty. Charles Dumasi of the CLO proposes a summary demolition order to be issued upon recommendation of the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) without need of going to the committee to conduct conferences if the concern is squatting within safeguarded lands.
    It was also proposed that Demolition Orders shall become stale if they are not implemented within three (3) years unless they are imbued with public interest; with only one Motion for Reconsideration to be allowed; and, no more Motion for Recommendation for previously issued demolition orders.
    For cases within the jurisdiction of the courts, it was proposed that CBAO shall immediately cause the dismissal of complaints and let the judiciary system handle such.
    Dumasi also proposes to transfer the secretariat to CBAO instead of CLO for shorter proceedings using the Local Government Code as basis in the issuance of demolition orders to illegal structures.
    As per the approved process, complaints for alleged illegal constructions will be filed with the CBAO which will conduct an investigation on the complaint based on their own investigation procedures then the city imposes different demolition procedures depending on the circumstances of the structures being complained about.
    On-going illegal constructions situated on titled properties are usually given 60 days to legalize their structure by applying for building permits; otherwise, the owner will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1096 and the structure will be subject for demolition.
    For illegal structures built on lots not owned by the structure owner and for structures built on unregistered lots, the structure owner will be asked to discontinue the construction or dismantle the structure within 24 hours. If the owner refuses, then the city will undertake the demolition and file a criminal complaint against the owner.
    For structures built within the right of way of national roads, the complaint will be endorsed to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Baguio City Engineering District pursuant to Dept. Order No. 52 while those built on public places, right of way of city or barangay roads and danger areas, forest reservations, water reservation and similar areas, the investigation report and notices of violations will be endorsed to the City Legal Office for immediate issuance of demolition order. – JMPS
 

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Demolition of 57 Camp 7 structures on public land in Baguio pushed

 BAGUIO CITY -- The city government urged owners of 59 structures declared unsafe in Camp 7, Kennon Road to undertake voluntary demolition.
    In a dialogue with the owners held May 18 at City Hall, lawyer Charles Dumasi of the anti-squatting and anti-illegal structure committee under the City Legal Office asked for voluntary demolition particularly of the 20 structures found within the creek easement.
    A total of 59 structures built within public land from the vicinity of Lion’s Head to Camp 7 Barangay Hall were found to have encroached the road-right-of-way while 20 are simultaneously situated within creek easement.
    All 59 structures were declared unsafe and unfit for occupancy by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) considering structural stability since some of the structures are only anchored on the existing grouted riprap.
    The ASAISC is prioritizing the voluntary demolition of the 20 structures that encroached the creek easement for safety reasons.
    “The structures are hanging and it is very dangerous especially during the rainy season. The creek walls where the structures were grouted were not meant to support structures,” Dumasi said.
    The occupants asked for consideration but Dumasi said a relocation site was not feasible due to the lack of thereof.
    Only livelihood assistance in the form of skills training may be provided by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Some occupants agreed to maximum of 15 days for them to remove their structures.

For the structures within the RROW, the same procedure will be implemented for the occupants to voluntarily demolish while awaiting the decision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which has jurisdiction over the area.

The CBAO Investigation and Demolition Division report stated most of the subject structures were made of wood, steel and GI sheets while others were built using reinforced concrete.

Owners have been using the structures for commercial purposes without business permits.

The oldest stall was erected in 1972 and other stalls sprouted over the years. – JMPS

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26 illegal buildings in Baguio watersheds up for demolition

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong said a total of 26 illegal constructions discovered in three watersheds during anti-squatting operations last month will be removed or demolished as soon as possible.
    City Legal Officer Althea Alberto said the structures are now subject to issuance of demolition orders by the city’s anti-squatting and anti-illegal structure committee which the City Legal Office heads.
    The order will be based on the investigation report submitted by the City Buildings and Architecture Office last May 5.
    Engineer Donald Gas-ib, head of the CBAO Investigation and Demolition Division, said the structures were discovered in various operations by teams from the CBAO, City Environment and Parks Management Office, City Engineering Office (CEO) and the Baguio City Police Office.
    Eleven structures were found in Busol watershed Baguio side which straddles Ambiong and Pacdal barangays.  Nine were located in Camp 8 watershed and six were sighted in Buyog which spans Pinget and West Quirino Hill barangays.
    Some of the discovered structures were large and made of concrete materials.

The CBAO said ongoing constructions found in safeguarded areas are immediately endorsed for demolition through the issuance of first and final notice of violation (NOV) with a directive to voluntarily demolish within 72 hours.

Those found in private lots, on the other hand, are issued cease and desist orders with the owners directed to first secure building permits and other requirements.

Mayor Magalong earlier ordered intensified watch over watersheds as a deterrent against squatting which continues to threaten what was left of the forest reservations.

 

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Illegal Busol constructions found; set for demolition

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The heightened patrolling of Busol and Buyog watersheds, two of the few remaining pine stands and sources of potable water in the city, led to the discovery of 10 ongoing illegal constructions the past three weeks and now subject of demolition proceedings.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong directed the Anti-Squatting and Anti-Illegal Structure Committee (ASAISC) to expedite the demolition process based on procedures for constructions that are built or being built on safeguarded lands like the watersheds and forest reservations.
    The committee said demolition orders are now being prepared to remove the said structures.
Engineer Angel Nerveza of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) Investigations Division said a total of eight structures were discovered at the Busol watershed by patrol teams of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Station 6 under Maj. Rommel Quinio.
    Two illegal structures were chanced upon last April 16 while patrolling the center of the watershed, another illegal settlement was spotted at the Ambiong side of the watershed on April 17 and still another improvement was reported also last April 17.
    Nerveza said four more structures were discovered later at the watershed owned by just two persons.  These will also be issued demolition orders.
    These were all immediately issued first and final notice of violation with a directive to voluntarily demolish within 72 hours.  Hearings were conducted with the owners, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and the barangay concerned.
    The Baguio City side of Busol straddles Ambiong and Pacdal barangays.
In Buyog which spans  Pinget and West Quirino Hill barangays, two large constructions were also discovered and owners were issued first and final notice of violation last April 19.
    Mayor Magalong earlier ordered police to conduct regular patrol over Busol and Buyog watersheds as a deterrent against squatting which continues to threaten what was left of the forest reservations.
    This is part of the city’s intensified campaign against illegal constructions, both ongoing and existing all over the city.
    The CBAO said ongoing constructions found in safeguarded areas are immediately endorsed for demolition while those found in private lots are issued cease and desist orders with the owners directed to first secure building permits and other requirements.
 

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Illegal Teachers Camp structures demolished

BAGUIO CITY -- Three structures built within the Teachers Camp reservation without the requisite building permit and no consent to construct were demolished April 13 by members of the City Demolition Team and City Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures.
    The City Buildings and Architecture Office through the city demolition team led by engineer Donald Gas-ib implemented demolition order 4, series of 2022 issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong based on complaints of the National Housing Authority.
    The NHA is the administrator of Proclamation 613 series of 2004 which segregated and reserved 3.4 hectares of land within the Teachers Camp reservation for housing site purposes and for disposition to qualified beneficiaries.
    The issue dates back in 2016 when NHA Region I and CAR Regional Manager Eduardo G. Leano requested the CBAO for the immediate inspection and issuance of demolition order to an ongoing construction within the proposed/identified access road of Proclamation No. 613.
    Records of the project interagency committee of NHA showed notices of violation have been issued to the owner of the structure for them to stop their ongoing construction.
    Considering that the investigation was conducted several years back, the Anti-Squatting and Anti-Illegal Structures Committee requested the CBAO to conduct re-investigation on the structures within the proclamation to have an updated report as to the identity of the owners as well as size/dimension of the structures and materials used.
    On October 19, 2021, the CBAO submitted a memorandum containing the result of the re-investigation revealing 11 structures within Proclamation 613 of NHA while the rest of the structures are within Proclamation 290 under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education particularly Teachers' Camp Administration.
    Four structures within Proclamation 613 are the priority concern of NHA described as follows:
1. One-storey residential structure made of reinforced concrete, concrete hollow block and galvanized iron sheets with approximate measurements of 8m by 8m in footprint area, allegedly constructed sometime in 2012;
2. One unit comfort room made of wood, concrete hollow block and galvanized iron sheet with approximate measurements of 2.5m by 1.5m in footprint area, allegedly constructed sometime in 2016;
3. An unfinished one-storey residential house made of reinforced concrete with approximate measurements of 9m by 6m in footprint area; and,
4. One-storey shanty made of wood and galvanized iron sheet with approximate dimension of 5m by 3m footprint area, allegedly constructed sometime in 2010.
Per certification issued by CBAO dated October 18, 2021, no approved building permit was issued to the owners of the structures thereby, notices of violation were issued and voluntary demolition were reiterated by the committee.
    However, only the owner of the shanty voluntarily demolished their structure as of December 2021.
    On December 2, 2021, one of the respondents requested the NHA if it is possible for the government to sell to the former that portion of the lot that they have occupied.
    But the representatives of NHA answered in the negative since this would be a direct violation of RA 7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act of 1992.
    Aside from this, under the Policy Guidelines on Beneficiary Selection and Disposition of Homelots adopted by the PIAC, all the three structure owners are not actual occupants within the Baguio Teachers' Camp reservation.
    The city government will implement an aggressive operation for the demolition of illegal structures within reservations as well as stoppage of ongoing constructions without building permits. – JMPS

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Demolitions on at Buyog, Busol watersheds; mayor orders watch

BAGUIO CITY --  Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered city police to conduct round-the-clock patrol over Busol and Buyog watersheds to ensure no new structures will be built within what was left of the forest reservations, two of the few remaining sources of potable water in the city.
    The mayor issued the order amid the demolition activities at the Busol watershed where two concrete structures being built at East Bayan Park part of the reservation were dismantled by a joint team led by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) on Feb. 28 and March 1.
    The said structures were previously covered by a temporary restraining order issued by the court preventing the city government from carrying out demolition activities which became possible after the owners’ bid to obtain a court injunction did not materialize.
    The CBAO said demolition operations on structures within the reservations that violate the agreement earlier reached by the occupants and the city government are continuing.
    Last year, the CBAO demolished three existing small structures and had begun the demolition of close to ten huge constructions in Liteng side of the Busol watershed when a TRO was issued by the court.
    “Any new structure being built especially in protected areas should be immediately demolished,” the mayor who earlier issued an executive order to this effect said.
    He was concerned about the Buyog watershed of which forested area had decreased from 19 hectares to only seven hectares.
     During the first term of Magalong as mayor in 2019, he led the conduct of a series of dialogues with the watershed occupants informing them of the city’s demolition of illegal structures even before Covid-19 the pandemic.
    "We need to finally put an end to this decades long problem, we shall continue to take action and remove illegal settlers within our watersheds for the benefit of the people," the mayor said.
     In 2021, the city government had an agreement with around 150 occupants and heads of the four barangays straddling the Busol reservation for them to cooperate with the city by refraining from introducing improvements or expansion of their existing structures, helping guard against further intrusions and undertaking preservation measures for the watershed. However, the mayor said a recent inspection of the site showed stark violation of the agreement as there were expansions undertaken and new structures that mushroomed to the detriment of the forest reserve and water resource of the city.
     The mayor was steadfast in his stand that while the city gives humanitarian consideration to the predicament of occupants – many of whom are ancestral land claimants who claimed to be long-time settlers of the forest reserve – law and order must be respected. – JMPS

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PMA: No dismantling of structures in reservation

Without demolition order 

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Military Academy will not demolish structures of land claimants situated within the military reservation here at Fort Del Pilar unless there is a demolition order issued by the court or by the city mayor, PMA officials told the City Council in a forum Feb. 13.
    Maj. Julesther Cañada, PMA real estate officer, said the academy has “no authority” to dismantle structures within the 373-hectare military reservation without any court's or city's order. 
    LTC Maria Elena Esteban, PMA legal officer, said the academy had not executed any demolition, adding all issues arising from the construction of structures in the area by private citizens were referred to the city’s anti-squatting committee.
    To date, there were two cases of “squatting” referred to the committee, she said. 
    The discussion stemmed from a city council resolution stating there shall be a “status quo” in the area pending resolution of a land dispute between PMA and the Bontoc Organization of Purok Ongasan, Loakan, Incorporated (BOPOLI).
    During the forum, it was clarified the status quo pertained to the agreement between PMA and BOPOLI during a committee hearing conducted by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. on Aug. 17, 2022 that there would be no demolition of structures and that the status quo did not pertain to construction of a fence surrounding the military reservation. 
    BOPOLI members in 2021, had protested against construction of a perimeter fence which they claimed would enclose the lot they were currently occupying.
    The fencing project was funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways 9DPWH) and National Defense (DND).
    A fencing permit had earlier been issued by the chief engineer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who serves as the building official authorized by the DPWH to issue fencing and building permits for structures within military reservations in the country.
    The lot occupied by BOPOLI members is part of the area covered by Proclamation No. 2405, s. 1985 which declared certain portions of land of the public domain situated in Fort Gregorio Del Pilar military reservation subject to prior rights, if any there be. 
    The entire reservation covers an area of 3,731,399 square meters more or less whereas the lot claimed by BOPOLI covers an area of 29,631 square meters. The BOPOLI members claimed the said area had been occupied by their forefathers since World War II and prior to the establishment of PMA.
    Cañada and Esteban said the fencing project was “eighty percent done and ongoing.”
    They assured city officials and BOPOLI members that populated areas would not be fenced as issues on land claims are being resolved.
    Meanwhile, Severino Lumiqued, lawyer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR), told the city council that there were two pending applications for Certificates of Ancestral Land Titles (CALTs) covering portions of lands within the military reservation.
    These were applications filed by the heirs of Chacchakan covering an area of more than 28 hectares and by the heirs of Bella Canda covering an area of around three hectares.

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Loakan Airport flights on; folks air plight on ‘demolition’ of houses

BAGUIO CITY — Commercial flights at Loakan Airport in this mountain city are now on even as local folks aired their plight over impending demolition of their structures along the airstrip in accordance with regulations.
    Some 80 passengers and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama flew in the maiden flight of the flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ Baguio-Cebu route at past 10:30 a.m. Dec.16, reviving this city’s only airport, which had been idle for decades.
    The Turboprop plane bearing tail number RP-C5903 descended without a hitch and passengers were welcomed with cool air and Loakan community who performed tribal dances
    PAL had been flying passengers to Baguio since 1941, before World War II but ceased operations in the late 1990s.
    A PAL official said this flight from a Manila airfield started Philippine commercial aviation.
    The Cebu route is the airline’s return to this summer capital.
    Residents near Loakan Airport here are apprehensive waiting for updates from the city government regarding status of their settlements reportedly due for demolition to prevent accidents along the airport.
    Eduard Cayetano, Punong Barangay of Loakan Proper, told the city council Dec. 12 there had not been any conference yet with the city government’s anti-squatting and anti-illegal structures committee since 2020.
    In January 2020, around 180 owners of structures reportedly situated within the buffer zone were issued notices of violation pursuant to Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s call for an investigation on the said buildings and houses.
    This was in preparation for the opening of the airport to commercial operations.
    Magalong directed Baguio chief Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. last week to assist the Loakan Airport Security committee during temporary closure of the national highway at the end of runway 27 to ensure safety during flight arrival and departure.
    The mayor Dec. 19 approved the request of Loakan Airport Manager Rosito Tamayo for deployment of personnel from BCPO Station 4 to augment the team from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group in manning intermittent closure of the highway.
    Tamayo told the mayor they needed police assistance since the national road, located at the end of runway 27 or the road leading to the Philippine Military Academy, is outside the airport perimeter.
    He said closure will only take a few minutes each time.
    Magalong said the city government will pursue its plan to construct a new road to serve residents and motorists affected by closure of the Loakan airport runway.
     “We need to do it as the permanent solution to the access problem in the area,” he said.
    He said coordination is now being made with the Dept. of Public Works and Highways and other agencies on the technical and financial aspects of the proposed project.
    However, initial findings on the lot being eyed for the road showed portions owned by private individuals and not solely owned by the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) as initially presumed.
     “Unfortunately, we need to resolve issues on privately owned lots along with the additional funding required to get it done.  The additional funding was not included in our 2023 budget so it may be worked out by 2024,” he said.
     The mayor said arrangements are being made with the CAAP through Tamayo in working out ways to provide residents temporary access while ensuring safety of aircrafts and crewmen using the runway.
    “What is important is to stop the indiscriminate use of the runway to prevent hazards that may compromise the safety of the passengers, airport personnel and the aircrafts,” the mayor said.  – With reports from Aileen P. Refuerzo  

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8 illegal shanties along Camp 9 watershed ordered demolished

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Nine illegal shanties have been spotted and ordered torn down at Camp 8 watershed here along Kennon Road.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong bared this on Dec. 17 saying the City Buildings and Architecture Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office inspected the site.
    City Building Official architect Johnny Degay said they issued notice of violation of the National Building Code while CEPMO under lawyer Rhenan Diwas called them out for transgression of the Environment Code.
    The mayor said upon latest inspection, four shanties had been voluntarily dismantled while the remaining ones are being subjected to follow through operations.
    The city's watersheds had been under constant threat of intrusion by land speculators resulting to dwindling of forest covers which threatens the city's potable water supply and carbon sink resource.
    "Their protection from further denudation and human intrusion is paramount since they are our ecological lifelines. Please help us protect our watershed by immediately reporting illegal constructions," the mayor said.
 

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‘Demolition’ of structures in Loakan Airport stalled as flights start operations

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Residents near the Loakan Airport here are apprehensive waiting for updates from the city government regarding status of their settlements which was reportedly due for demolition as part of regulations to prevent accidents.
    This, as flights at the airport resumed Dec. 16.  
    Eduard Cayetano, Punong Barangay of Loakan Proper, told the city council Dec. 12 there had not been any conference yet with the city government’s anti-squatting and anti-illegal structures committee since 2020.
    In January 2020, around 180 owners of structures reportedly situated within the buffer zone were issued notices of violation pursuant to Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s call for an investigation on the said buildings and houses.
    This was in preparation for the opening of the airport to commercial operations.
    The buffer zone measures 75 meters from the centerline on each side of the runway.
    In a council session on Feb. 3, 2020, engineer Stephen Capuyan, head of the Investigation and Demolition Division of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, clarified the violation notice was to merely inform the occupants they violated Section 22 of the Environment Code of the City of Baguio or Ordinance 018-2016 (prohibition against erecting a structure on a safeguarded zone).
    No notices of demolition had been issued yet, he said.
    As part of the preliminary investigation, the residents were mandated to submit copies of their lot titles, building and occupancy permits, and other pertinent documents. 
    Capuyan said, based on the results of the initial investigation, most of these buildings and houses can be considered as illegal structures as they were not issued building permits and the lands were untitled. 
    In a recent interview, Capuyan said results of the initial investigation were forwarded to the Anti-Squatting and anti-illegal structures committee for the latter’s action.
    In a separate interview, lawyer Charles Dumasi of the City Legal Office, said the  ASAISC had requested CAAP to conduct land survey to accurately identify  metes and bounds of the safeguarded zone and to exactly determine which structures situated therein.
    Dumasi said the investigation had been put on hold since CAAP had a reference point for the measurement of the buffer zone which might be different from that of CBAO’s.
    According to him, the results of the land survey to be conducted by CAAP would serve as the primary basis for the government’s future actions to address the issue of squatting in the area.
    H    is advice to the affected residents was to wait for the results of the said survey.
    Asked about the best course of action for titled properties found to be within the buffer zone, Dumasi broached the idea of expropriation.
    He said the concerned government agency or local government unit may propose to purchase these private properties.
    Expropriation proceedings may be initiated if the property owners reject the price offer, but it is the CAAP that will have to execute the said move, he added.
    Expropriation is the government’s action of claiming private properties even against the will of the owners for public use or benefit.
    During forum with the city council on Feb.  3, 2020, Magalong cited possibility of giving just compensation to residents holding legitimate land titles as a result of expropriation. Meanwhile, Cayetano lamented the tagging of all residents in the area as illegal settlers.
    He claimed that some properties therein were titled and had been there circa 1910.
 

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Baguio market stalls demolished in clean-up drive

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The Market Division of the City Treasury Office under City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias has demolished 32 stalls at the bodega section and spruced up the chichiria section of the city public market as the city intensified the clean-up of the city’s trading center.
    This is in line with Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s clean and orderly Baguio program recently revitalized to ensure prompt action on concerns on improper garbage disposal, untidy surroundings, clogged canals and the like.
City Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio said they decided to remove the temporary stalls used as bodega at block IV relocation area because of their filthy condition.
    The chichiria section located at the back portion of the hangsr building and its surroundings overgrown with weeds and trees had to also be tidied up.  Other areas near the chichiria structure located will also be cleaned.
    Emilio said they have also started putting to rights other parts like the fish section where eyesores were cleaned up like the styro cooler deposit areas and the individual stalls.
    Flushing operations continue to be conducted to regularly remove the dirt, mud and leftover waste.
    Emilio said a follow-up inspection showed some improvements.  He said the clean-up campaign will continue with the cooperation of the stallholders.

 

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DPWH: Lack of funds delaying demolition of illegal Kennon buildings

By Jordan G. Habbiling 

BAGUIO CITY -- The demolition of illegal structures along Kennon road is not  being acted upon due to insufficient funding. 
    This was the response of the Baguio City District Engineering Office of the Department of the Dept. of Public Work and Highways to Councilor Fred Bagbagen who did not mince words when he expressed disappointment at the mushrooming of illegal structures on the Baguio side of the major access road. “Since these structures have no building permit, they are not connected to our sewage treatment plant. And this pollutes the river bed. Why are we allowing these illegal structures to continue to exist?” Bagbagen asked.
    The councilor said this needs to be addressed urgently especially that Kennon Road is now open to the public.
BCDEO-DPWH District Engineer Rene Zarate said demolition of illegal structures along major thoroughfares in the city was covered by their major routine maintenance fund the previous years which, according to him, could not be solely devoted to the dismantling of these illegal structures.
    Zarate said their office is currently conducting a “thorough” inventory of all illegal structures on the Baguio side of Kennon Road for programming of demolition operations to be included in their major routine maintenance fund under their annual program.
    He noted there were 57 inventoried illegal structures are ready for dismantling. However, he admitted they need more time to prepare the funding requirements for the dismantling of the rest of the illegal structures which they classified in their inventory as “permanent structures.”
    He said their office would ask the assistance of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) for the implementation of demolition orders along major roads in the city including Kennon Road.
    Engineer Donal Gas-ib, Chief of CBAO Investigation Division, said the removal of illegal structures and obstructions along national roads is the mandate of the DPWH, but the CBAO is “willing” to help in the demolition operations conducted by the BCDEO-DPWH.
    A joint meeting among BCDEO-DPWH, CBAO, and barangay officials of Camp 7 and Camp 8 Barangays was set this week to come up with concrete solutions on the issue of squatting along Kennon Road.
 
 

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Illegal Dagupan City fish pens demolished

By Liezle Basa Inigo

DAGUPAN CITY – The Task Force Bantay Ilog has started the demolition of illegal and oversized fish pens and fish cages in this city.

A notice of violation and demolition was given to owners and operators on Nov. 11.

The task force was accompanied in the demolition by the City Agriculture Office, Dagupan CDRMMO, city police, and Coast Guard.

Task force officer-in-charge City Agriculturist Patrick Dizon said seven illegal and oversized fish pens and cages were demolished in Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Pugaro-Suit, and Salapingao.

Most of them were abandoned, he said.

Their owners have signed a waiver allowing the task force to dismantle them.

Other illegal structures have also been demolished.

Demolition will continue in the next few days.

 

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Loakan Airport operations pushed; obstructions, houses set for removal

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong is keen on the re-operation of the Loakan Airport as an all-weather commercial airport.
     The mayor already had talks with Mr. Stanley Ng, the president and chief operations officer of the Philippine Airlines earlier this month for a possible venture through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
     He said the CAAP informed him that funding for the modernization of the Loakan Airport will be earmarked by next year.
     If this pushes through, Magalong said houses and other structures obstructing the buffer zone of the airport will be removed and human activities such as walking or crossing on the runway will no longer be allowed.
    “We need to deal with the illegal structures within the airport reservation now,” Magalong ordered.
    The City Buildings and Architecture Office led by Architect Johny Degay said at least 300 houses are located within the buffer zone. He said series of dialogues have already been conducted by the CBAO and the CAAP to the affected stakeholders for them voluntarily demolish their structures.
    Commercial airlines ceased operating in Baguio since the 1990s due to difficulties in landing at the 1.6 kilometer runway of the Loakan airport as well as the zero visibility conditions normally experienced due to thick fog, inadequate navigating and landing system, traffic safety and short runway to be able to attract commercial air carriers with higher seating capacity.
    As early as 2019 the mayor already sought the assistance of the DOTr through then Secretary Arthur Tugade to allot funds for the renovation works needed to upgrade Baguio’s Loakan Airport. However, the project was overtaken by events particularly the coronavirus pandemic.
    In 2013, the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera approved and adopted a study on advancing the Baguio airport program with at least P160 million funding requirement.
 

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Baguio road encroachers given time to demolish

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The city government is giving residents along Naguilian Road and Marcos Highway more time to demolish their structures as the city prepares the plan and budget for the recovery of the roads.
    “We will be giving them sufficient time, around one-year siguro, pinaka maikli na siguro yung eight months (one year probably, the earliest will be eight months) but mostly one year or more," Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in an interview on Wednesday.
    He said the families and owners of the structures have been informed of their encroachment and were already advised that the government will take back the road right-of-way (RROW) for the use of the public.
    “We informed the concerned families and residents na nag overshoot sila (that they overshoot) but in the meantime, na wala naman ongoing na projects pa doon, hindi naman agaran or immediate yung pagtanggal ng structure na nag occupy ng road right of way (there are no ongoing projects yet and the recovery and removal of their structure that encroaches the road will not be urgent),” the mayor said.
    He said making the technical plan, and budgeting will take about two years and the owners of the structures will have ample time to demolish their encroachments while the government has not started the recovery moves.
    He said in identifying those that encroached the RROW, the technical persons were aided by technology and the geographical information system which they overlaid with the digital cadastral mapping with the use of the AutoCAD computer program.
    In the central business district, about 80 percent of the encroachments have been removed and the RROW cleared for use of the people, Magalong said.
    The mayor noted that the road recovery program, which was a direct instruction from President Rodrigo Duterte, is a continuing project of the city government.
    “Hopefully kapag naayos yung ating project sa Naguilian road, isipin mo dati-dati inaabot ng isang oras papunta sa Irisan pero kapag napaluwag natin, ang bilis na baka abutin na lang ng half or 20 minutes lang (when the project at Naguilian road is completed what used to be an hour going to Irisan will only be half an hour or 20 minutes),” Magalong said. -- PNA
 
 

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