City to compel barangay officials to report illegal constructions

January 21, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – The city government will compel barangay officials to deliver on their obligation to report illegal constructions in their jurisdictions. Mayor Benjamin Magalong in the Management Committee meeting Jan. 14 tasked City Building and Architecture Office Officer-in- Charge Johnny Degay and City Legal Officer Richard Dayag to craft an order to update existing directives to this end.
“Our aim is to deepen the involvement of the barangay heads in the city’s campaign to stem the proliferation of illegal constructions and illegal businesses in the city where those without building permits will not really be allowed to construct or operate a business,” the mayor said.
The order will be anchored on section 22 (D) of Ordinance No. 18 series of 2016 or the Environment Code of Baguio which provides that,
“Any barangay official who tolerates or fails to report squatting and/or illegal construction activities within safeguarded lands in their jurisdiction shall be liable under this Code.” Degay said an administrative order issued by former Mayor Mauricio Domogan in 2011 mandates punong barangays to issue notices of violations to constituents found constructing without the necessary permits but compliance to the order was nil.
He said he recently met with officials of certain barangays where violations are rampant and they were reminded anew of their duties.
As per the order, barangay heads are to issue notices to cease and desist to the offending parties and if they continue to ignore the order, they are to report the matter to the CBAO for further action.
The mayor said barangays should realize the import of their roles in the anti-squatting campaign and the city would have to insist on their obligation.
The CBAO had in the past been calling for support in the barangay level to identify structures not covered by building permits to force their owners to comply with the law.
Aileen P. Refuerzo/ABN