489 illegal structures demolished in 2023
A total of 489 illegal structures found in safeguarded, military reservation and private lots were demolished by the city government in 2023.
Moreover, a total of 31 cases were filed in court with two convictions, three settled through voluntary demolition and 23 still pending.
The City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) under the Building Officer Arch. Johnny Degay said the downed structures were covered by 19 demolition orders issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Of the 19 implemented orders, 17 covered structures situated in safeguarded lots like watersheds, forest reservations and road right-of-ways while two involved structures in military reservation and a private lot.
The mayor issued a total of 62 demolition orders but a total of 43 were laid on the table after affected parties sought redress. Seventeen of the deferred orders covered buildings in safeguarded lots and another 17 in private lots while five involved military reservations and four others in untitled lots.
Engr. Donald Gas-ib, head of the CBAO Investigation and Demolition Division said the office received a total of 384 complaints last year, all of which were inspected and investigated. The said structures covered by the complaints were situated in untitled lots and safeguarded locations.
The CBAO endorsed 252 cases either to the Anti-Squatting and Anti-illegal Structures Committee (ASAISC) and the City Anti-Illegal Structures Committee (CAISC) and 132 cases either to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways, the City Engineering Office and the barangays.
Mayor Magalong lauded the CBAO, the City Engineering Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office and the Baguio City Police Office for their joint efforts in monitoring, reporting and facilitating the demolition of illegal structures and constructions.
He said the city’s anti-squatting campaign had been scoring big gains since its revitalization in 2022 but more needs to be done.
“We need to pursue this with aggressiveness if we really want to save our remaining watersheds, forest covers, water sources and our remaining disposable lots,” the mayor said.
Last August, the CBAO noted the apparent decline in the number of new unpermitted structures being reported and attributed this to the effectiveness of the more aggressive monitoring and reporting.
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. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
