Instituting the National Drive to Suppress and Eradicate Professional Squatting and Squatting Syndicates, amending Executive Order Nos. 178, S. 1999 and 129, S. 1993, and for other purposes

MALACAÑANG
Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Executive Order No. 153 December 10, 2002

INSTITUTING THE NATIONAL DRIVE TO SUPPRESS AND ERADICATE PROFESSIONAL SQUATTING AND SQUATTING SYNDICATES, AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NOS. 178, S. 1999 AND 129, S. 1993, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, various instruments have been issued under Republic Act No. 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992, instituting mechanisms to curb the nefarious activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates;

WHEREAS, there is no need to further intensify the national drive against these criminal elements that prey on people who need most the protection of the law;

WHEREAS, there is no need to re-orient and strengthen the existing mechanisms to effectively curtail said menace; and

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987 provides for the continuing authority of the President to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 153

Instituting the National Drive Against Professional Squatting and Squatting Syndicates
• Institutes a national drive against professional squatting and squatting syndicates. (Section 1)

Lead Agencies and Their Roles
• Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC):
- Take the lead in identifying professional squatters and squatting syndicates. (Section 2)
- Monitor and launch operations to curtail their activities. (Section 2)
- The National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters established under Executive Order No. 129 is abolished, and its functions are transferred to HUDCC. (Section 2)
• Department of Justice (DOJ):
- Take the lead in prosecuting identified professional squatters and squatting syndicates, in conjunction with HUDCC's functions. (Section 2)

Support from Relevant Agencies
• HUDCC and DOJ have authority to call on the following agencies for support, assistance, and cooperation: (Section 3)
- Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP)
- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- National Urban Poor Sectoral Council of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NUPSC-NAPC)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- Land Registration Authority (LRA)
- Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)
• These agencies are directed to designate full-time staff to coordinate with and work closely with HUDCC and DOJ. (Section 3)

National Police Task Force
• The National Police Task Force (NPTF) to Apprehend Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters, created under Executive Order No. 178, is strengthened. (Section 4)
• It shall serve as the operational arm of HUDCC in the drive against professional squatters and squatting syndicates. (Section 4)
• The Philippine National Police (PNP) is directed to designate full-time staff and/or personnel for the NPTF. (Section 4)

Secretariat Support
• The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) shall provide secretariat support to HUDCC, DOJ, and the NPTF. (Section 5)

Funding Requirements
• Initial funding requirements shall come from the budgets of HUDCC, DOJ, PNP, and PCUP respecting each of their functions. (Section 6)
• Subsequent funding shall be incorporated into their respective regular budgets. (Section 6)

Reporting and Implementation
• HUDCC and DOJ shall submit regular reports to the Executive Secretary regarding the implementation of this Order. (Section 7)
• HUDCC and DOJ, in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall jointly formulate and adopt guidelines for the effective implementation of this Order. (Section 8)

Repealing or Amendatory Clause
• All other executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Order are repealed, superseded, or modified accordingly. (Section 9)

Effectivity
• This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. (Section 10)