Ongoing anti-squatting efforts uncover 102 new illegal constructions in the city
BAGUIO CITY — A notable increase of 102 ongoing illegal structures has been reported last month, becoming the focal point of investigations in the city’s revitalized anti-squatting campaign.
The campaign aims to address unauthorized constructions found on safeguarded, titled, and untitled lots, as well as road right-of-ways within the city.
According to a statement released by the city public information office, the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO), headed by Arch. Johnny Degay, has attributed the discovery of these 102 ongoing illegal structures to the diligent patrolling and monitoring efforts of the Baguio Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures (BASIS) team, as well as the cooperation of private individuals who reported some of these incidents.
CBAO Investigation and Demolition Division head Donald Gas-ib said 40 of these constructions are situated on titled lots while 41 on unregistered lots.
Nine were found encroaching road right-of-ways, eight on lots covered by Certificate of Ancestral Land Titles (CALT), while four were found on watersheds.
As per the established procedures, owners of illegal structures discovered on titled lots without ownership issues have been instructed to halt construction immediately and obtain the necessary building permits.
For those structures entangled in ownership conflicts, cease and desist orders have been issued, accompanied by advice to address and resolve the underlying lot issues.
The city authorities have taken swift action against constructions on untitled or unregistered lots by issuing notices of violation and initiating investigations.
In the case of structures found on safeguarded lots, immediate steps were taken to endorse them for summary demolition.
In April, a total of 223 constructions on both titled and untitled lots, as well as road right-of-ways, were halted due to permit violations, while 26 new illegal constructions located within three watersheds were identified and recommended for demolition.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal structures to CBAO through the contact number 442-2503.
Meanwhile, the mayor restated his call to owners of existing unpermitted structures, specifically those with three stories and above, situated on titled lots, to promptly apply for building permits before the upcoming deadline on June 30, 2023.
Failure to meet the deadline will result in the issuance of notices of violations and the imposition of sanctions in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1096, also known as the National Building Code of the Philippines.
In addition to addressing larger buildings, the city is also focusing on other unpermitted structures constructed on titled lots.
CBAO asst. dept. head Stephen Capuyan said that they have identified 427 structure owners in Barangays DPS Compound, Cabinet Hill, Marcoville, Engineer’s Hill, and Camp 8.
These owners, who are qualified to apply for building permits as they hold lot titles but lack the necessary permits, have been contacted through letters urging them to apply within 15 days.
In the event that the owners do not respond within the initial 15-day period, they will be granted a 15-day extension via a follow-up letter.
However, if they still fail to obtain the required permits during the extension period, the city will be compelled to issue a notice of violation and initiate proceedings in accordance with the building code.