BAGUIO CITY – A total of 600 illegal structures were flagged by the City Government through the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) from January to June this year.
The CBAO, under Arch. Johnny Degay, said that of the 600 constructions issued notices of violation (NOVs), 331 were built on titled properties and 269 were on unregistered lots.
CBAO Investigation and Demolition Division engineer Donald Gas-ib said the office received a total of 298 complaints in the said period and eight of these were dismissed.
Three cases were filed in court and 69 cases were endorsed to the City Anti-Illegal Structures Committee (CAISC) for decision.
Nine demolition orders covering 13 structures were implemented while 16 others were deferred due to temporary restraining orders (TRO) issued by the courts.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong continues to encourage the public to report squatting incidents in watersheds and is titled or untitled lots to the CBAO at 442-2503.
He noted the gains that sustained monitoring activities had been accomplishing but said the public’s cooperation remains vital in the city’s continuing anti-squatting campaign.
Gas-ib said their office had observed a reduction in the number of illegal constructions being reported in watersheds despite constant monitoring activities and this could be an indication that the anti-squatting measures had been working since these were revitalized in 2022.
Close monitoring of watersheds and ongoing constructions continue through the joint efforts of the community and the different offices including the CBAO, the City Engineering Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office and the Baguio City Police Office.
The BCPO under Director PCol. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. continues to include watersheds in their daily patrols.
Camdas Police Station (PS) 2 is keeping watch over Buyog watershed at Pinget and West Quirino Hill; Aurora Hill PS 6 guards Busol watershed at Ambiong and Pacdal barangays; Pacdal PS 3 scours Busol watershed and Forbes Park forest reservation at South Drive barangay and other safeguarded areas; and Kennon Road PS 8 secures Camp 8 watershed.
As per procedures, owners of illegal structures found in titled lots without ownership issues were ordered to stop construction and secure building permits.
Those with conflicts were issued cease and desist orders with the advice to resolve the lot issues.
Constructions on untitled or unregistered lots were issued notices of violation and subjected to investigations.
Structures found in safeguarded lots were immediately endorsed for summary demolition.