720 due for demolition
CLOSE to 720 shanties located along hazardous areas in Itogon, Benguet will be up for demolition following the creation of task force.
Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan said the demolition team is headed by the municipal engineer with barangay officials, civilian volunteer organizations in the barangay as members.
On October 24, the chief executive signed an administrative order organizing a demolition team to implement the dismantling of structures in areas
in hazardous areas as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that were consequently declared as no build zones.
“Two weeks ago, I issued a notice to the shanty owners, houses, that they have to voluntary demolish their structures and after October 25, we will be having a meeting with the task force on the dismantling of structures along areas with high hazard susceptibility as determined by MGB of DENR,” says Palangdan.
Identified areas as within the no build zones include parts of Dampingan, Luneta, Simot-simot, Columbia and Forty Raise, all within Barangay Loacan. In Ucab, the areas include sitio First Gate, Otek and Level 070 including Tipong in Barangay Ampucao and Surong 2 in barangay Gumatdang.
The task force is set to carry mandatory demolition of all existing shanties or makeshifts with the assistance of Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and uniformed personnel of the LGU to ensure the security and peace and order of the implementation of the demolition.
The Municipal Health Office and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office is set to serve as support team to provide social service for the demolition team and the occupants of the structures set to be demolished.
Palangdan said the demolition is a continuous operation with the self-demolition set to lapse only on October 25. After the said date, the demolition team will convene to discuss the proper procedure to be undertaken by the task force.
“Our fear is that the people will go back there. And if there will be something that happens to them, we will be answerable,” added the mayor.