The city government will halt ongoing constructions in residential and forest reservations that are not covered by building permits as it adopted a more aggressive stance against squatting and violators of the National Building Code and environment laws.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong who ordered an intensified campaign against ongoing illegal structures last March 3 formed a core group called the Baguio Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures (Basis) to conduct inspections and identify and stop structural developments not covered by the necessary permits.
The Basis is composed of personnel from the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office, City Legal Office, City Engineering Office and deputized environment officers of the Baguio City Police Office.
Since the mayor issued the order, BCPO City Director Col. Francis Bulwayan Jr. included the monitoring of ongoing constructions in residential, commercial and forest areas in regular patrol activities of the different police stations.
Those not covered by permits were reported to the CBAO for verification and issuance of notices of violation and cease and desist orders.
As a result of the inspections, an ongoing residential building construction at GEFA barangay was issued a cease and desist order with the owner advised against pursuing further construction activities and to secure building permit. The owner was likewise directed to clean and clear all construction materials and debris obstructing the sidewalk immediately and to enclose the construction site with green G.I sheets pursuant to Executive Order 17, s. 2020.
An ongoing construction of a rooftop enclosure at Roman Ayson, Campo Filipino was also slapped similar orders for having no permit.
In Outlook Drive, four ongoing structural developments (two ongoing building constructions, one extension and one digging of foundation) were found without building permits posted at the construction sites in Purok 2 and Purok 4.
The BCPO endorsed its findings to the CBAO for verification and issuance of notices of violation of the Building Code.
Three ongoing large constructions at Navy Base, St. Joseph Village were also issued cease and desist orders. – Jessa Samidan and Aileen Refuerzo
