DILG tells LGUs to enact ordinance that declares “no build zones”

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a directive asking local government units (LGU) to enact ordinances declaring "no build zones" in areas previously cleared of illegal occupants to ensure that informal settlers will not go back.

"Unless LGUs declare no build zones, informal settlers will always be a huge concern and this will be an unending cycle of demolition, clearing, and relocation,” said DILG officer-in-charge Catalino S. Cuy, in a statement.

In the DILG’s recently issued directive, Cuy called on cities and municipalities to ensure that cleared territories remain uninhabited and unoccupied by enacting ordinances barring any construction of residential establishments in these areas.

All barangays were also directed to adopt the city or municipal ordinances regarding danger areas or enact their own barangay ordinance considering that most informal residences live in the barangays.

"That's a very good move. I'm fully supportive of it. In fact there are already existing laws pertaining to it. It just has to be implemented," said City Councilor Philip Zafra, who heads Cebu City’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC).

Zafra, however, said that addressing the issue goes beyond the enactment of an ordinance.

"We need to have a comprehensive housing and resettlement plan for our less privileged brothers and sisters," he said, explaining there should be sustainable livelihood program and generate more employment opportunities for them.

He said that the government should also disperse development in the countryside and let the progress of the economy immediately reach the farthest sitios in the barangays.

"Consequently, however, the problem is not just the informal settlers per se, but our failure to address the root cause of the problem and that is poverty and the lost opportunity for growth in the countryside. I just hope that this will be the first step toward achieving that," Zafra further said.

City Councilor Ernie Manatad, Mandaue City ABC President, said that the directive is good as it supplements existing laws.

"We have an ordinance empowering LGU officials and police to arrest and imprison violators," said Manatad, who is also the barangay captain of Subangdaku.

Cuy said that allowing or tolerating informal settlers to build along ‘no build zones’ is a violation of the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

Cuy added that to allow informal settlements along railroad tracks, sidewalks or roads, or in garbage dumps, landfills, public cemeteries, or in parks and playgrounds is an utter disregard to public safety and an affront to human decency.

To further protect and monitor these areas, Cuy said, cities and municipalities should work in protecting and regularly monitoring these areas by putting up outposts, fences, signage, and/or CCTV cameras.

No build zones refer to easement areas defined under existing laws and policies that are not recommended for human habitation due to the danger they pose to human life and/or property. (FREEMAN)