DILG guidelines for police help in demolition

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued new guidelines for local government units to follow in requesting for police assistance during demolition.

A copy of the guidelines contained in the memorandum circular issued by DILG last July was forwarded by the Cebu City Council to the City Administrator’s Office, Committee on Housing, Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement, Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, among others for guidance and information.

The memorandum circular is entitled “Guidelines on Requesting For Police Assistance In Demolition or Eviction Activities Under The Urban Development And Housing Act”. The guidelines should take effect in all government agencies in the country.

The guidelines is intended to “prevent, and if not, to stop the hostility and violence arising from the demolition and/or eviction of underprivileged and homeless citizens; and to safeguard from hostility and violence, not only the affected underprivileged and homeless citizens but also the representatives of government agencies and police personnel, involved in the demolition and/or eviction.”

Section 10, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that “Urban and rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted nor their dwellings demolished, except in accordance with law in a just and humane manner.”

There are processes before police assistance is provided to the proponent such as; the proponent shall make a formal letter request for police assistance to the relevant Regional Director at the PNP at least ten days prior to the scheduled date of the demolition.

The memorandum noted that there are documents that should be attached to the formal letter request, such as; a certified copy of the relevant court order or administrative order or certified true copy of the Certificate of Compliance on demolition issued by the chairman of the Local Housing Board; a certified true copy of the proponent’s formal letter request for assistance addressed to the Philippine Commission for the Urban Poor Regional/Field Office or PCUP head office, (marked as “received”); and other pertinent information in support of the request of police assistance.  (FREEMAN)