Realty tax reprieve sought for landowners with squatter woes

Citing the deprivation of landowners from using his or her property, a Quezon City councilor yesterday proposed an exemption to payments of realty tax for lands being occupied by squatters.

Councilor Winnie Castelo of District 2 filed Ordinance 151, seeking a six-year reprieve to landowners who are victimized by squatting syndicates. 

"Squatting on another’s property in the country has become a widespread vice," Castelo said.  "It is public knowledge that squatters have embarked on the pernicious act of occupying property whenever or wherever convenient to their interest without permission and against the will of the owner."

He said landowners should apply in writing for the exemption to the Office of the City Mayor.  The six-year realty tax exemption should begin from the time the proposal is approved.

The ordinance, however, does not prohibit the affected landowners from instituting legal actions or other means of remedial action provided by existing laws to recover their property from informal settlers.

"Syndicates have made squatting a business for profit or gain while they have prevented legal owners to use and improve their property," he also said. – Katherine Adraneda