Capitol bars ‘illegal’ settlers from lot

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has barred outsiders from constructing residential structures in the province-owned lot in Sitio Upper Panabang, Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday said the lot is only open to those “bonafide” occupants following report that displaced residents in Sitio San Miguel, Apas are reportedly moving to the area and started building houses.

Davide has directed Capitol’s Task Force on Anti-Squatting head, Loy Anthony Madrigal, to process the identification of occupants in Sitio Upper Panabang.

Madrigal said they would distinguish “bonafide” occupants, those who have been included in the census, from those “illegal settlers.”

“Kadtong naapil sa census nga dugay na kaayo diha ug mga beneficiaries ni sila sa maong properties. Ang kadaghanan ani nila mga sundalo,” he said.

The task force has already dismantled 15 skeletal structures in the area in the past three weeks.

Madrigal reported more than 20 families “illegally” occupying the area.

Davide said the displaced residents from San Miguel could confer with the province and request for an area where they could build their houses temporarily.

“Ang mga residents unta, the barangay captain or any representatives, moari diri nato mopahibalo unya mangita silag site and we can discuss that. Dili nang modritso lang sila’g butang patukod og structures without the knowledge of the provincial government,” he added.

The province is also looking at the possibility that property rights “sellers’ exist in the area.

“Kini pod nga mga tawhana, wa ni silay katungod. They are not even the owners (of the property),” Davide told reporters. (FREEMAN)