Binay to candidates in barangay polls: Do not tolerate illegal settling

CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay appealed to prospective barangay official candidates not to use the elections in October to tolerate illegal settling.

Binay, who is also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said that inaction by local officials on the proliferation of illegal settlers in their jurisdiction can be considered an offense.

He warned that officials who allow the number of illegal settlers to balloon in their area may be meted with administrative sanctions.

Binay, who served Makati City as mayor for 24 years, said inaction by local officials on the proliferation of illegal settlers in their jurisdiction can be considered an offense.

The Vice President, however, acknowledged that the country’s policy on putting an end to illegal settling had been inconsistent.

 â€œNoong 1986 hanggang sa ‘90s, ilang beses binago. Oops, extension ng one year. Oops, walang tatanggalin. Oops, ‘yon nga, may eleksyon. May mga nangangako na hindi kayo (paaalisin). Gagawan ng paraan, etcetera, etcetera. Yun naman ang mga nakaantala dun,” said Binay, in a press statement sent to The Freeman.

 Binay stressed that the government should be firm in its policy on how to address the issue.

Tejero barangay councilor Garry Lao, who is also the secretary-general of the Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter, said that this is a very welcome move but the government must have a concrete action especially relocation sites for the would-be displaced illegal settlers.

“Welcome kaayo ni ang gihimo ni Vice President Binay. The power of a local government unit is to exercise public safety and health but the government should have a concrete solution kung asa ni ipamutang ang mga constituents namo nga ma demolished,” Lao said.

The Freeman tried to ask comments from the different presidents of the Association of Barangay Councils here but no one responded.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued a memorandum for the clearing of homes to those living along riverbanks within the city.—(FREEMAN)