Establishing an Institutional Mechanism To Curtail the Activities of Professional Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters and Intensifying the Drive Against Them

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 129 October 15, 1993

ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO CURTAIL THE ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SQUATTING SYNDICATES AND PROFESSIONAL SQUATTERS AND INTENSIFYING THE DRIVE AGAINST THEM

WHEREAS, it is imperative to arrest the proliferation of squatters in the urban areas, which is aggravated by the activities of squatting syndicates;

WHEREAS, there is a need to effect the identification and registration of the rightful beneficiaries of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), who will be affected by the urgent infrastructure projects of government as against professional squatters and squatting syndicates;

WHEREAS, UDHA mandates the Local Government Units (LGUs), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) to identify and effectively curtail the nefarious and illegal activities to professional squatters and squatting syndicates, as well as to implement relocation and resettlement procedures;

WHEREAS, there is a need to protect the rightful beneficiaries of the UDHA from the squatter syndicates and professional squatters, who continuously prey on and victimize the...

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EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 129

Summary:
- Establishes an institutional mechanism to curtail the activities of professional squatting syndicates and professional squatters, and intensify the drive against them. (Preamble)

Definitions (Sec. 1):
- Professional Squatters: Individuals or groups who occupy lands without the landowner's consent and have sufficient income for legitimate housing. It also includes those who were previously awarded homelots or housing units by the government but sold, leased or transferred them and settled illegally in the same or another urban area, and non-bonafide occupants and intruders of lands reserved for socialized housing. It excludes those who simply rent land and housing from professional squatters or squatting syndicates. (Sec. 1.1)
- Squatting Syndicates: Groups of persons engaged in the illegal business of squatter housing for profit or gain. (Sec. 1.2)

Creation of Committees (Sec. 2):
- National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters (Sec. 2.1.1):
- Composed of representatives from DILG (Chairman), HUDCC (Co-Chairman), DOJ, PCUP, PNP, NBI, PCUP accredited National Urban Poor Organization, and a Non-Government Organization.
- Functions: Oversee and coordinate government activities against professional squatters and squatting syndicates, recommend appropriate measures, provide assistance to LGUs, update the President and submit reports. (Sec. 2.1.2)
- Local Committees Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters (Sec. 2.2.1):
- Composed of the mayor, local PNP chief, PCUP representative, president of PCUP accredited urban poor organization, and a private sector representative.
- Functions: Identify and curtail activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates, provide HUDCC and NHA with their names, provide legal assistance to victims, file charges, investigate violations, monitor demolition and eviction activities, submit reports, and call on government entities for assistance. (Sec. 2.2.2)

Actions Against Offenders (Sec. 3):
- LGUs shall summarily evict offenders and demolish their dwelling structures upon recommendation of their local committees. (Sec. 3.1)
- LGUs, PCUP, and PNP shall monitor and implement Section 30 of RA 7279 regarding new illegal entrants (those guilty of squatting after the effectivity of the Act). (Sec. 3.2)
- Concerned agencies shall enforce Section 45 (Penalty Clause) of RA 7279 on new illegal entrants. (Sec. 3.3)

Repealing and Effectivity Clauses (Sec. 4 & 5):
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent issuances. (Sec. 4)
- Takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation. (Sec. 5)