Enact ordinances declaring ‘no build zones,’ LGUs told
The country’s 1,643 local government units (LGU) comprising 1,489 municipalities and 145 cities were urged to enact ordinances declaring the dangerous area in their respective locations as “no build zones’’.
As the government intensifies its relocation plans for informal settlers, Interior and Local Government officerin-charge (OIC) Catalino Cuy cited the necessity of the measure to ensure that danger areas previously cleared of illegal occupants will not be retaken by squatter families.
He said no build zones as easement areas defined under existing laws and policies that are not recommended for human habitation by virtue of the danger it poses to human life and/or property.
Cuy made the call as he noted there had been inaction or complacency among certain LGUs despite numerous guidelines issued by the department on matters of informal-settler families and the LGUs role.
“Unless LGUs declare no build zones, ISFs will always be a huge concern and this will be an unending cycle of demolition, clearing, and relocation,’’ Cuy said.
In a 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 said areas.
He also asked the barangays in the country 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.
“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,” he added.
Cuy said 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 with their component barangays in protecting and regularly monitoring said areas by putting up outposts, fences, signage, and/or CCTV cameras.