In line with the Aquino administration’s effort to address the problem of informal settlers, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday released the guidelines for the prevention and control of the proliferation of squatters in the country particularly in the urban areas.

The guidelines were embodied in a memorandum circular issued by DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and punong barangays.

In his directive, Robredo, who has been tapped by President Aquino to address the problem of informal settlers,has enjoined allpunong barangays, as well as thesangguniang barangays, to adopt measures to effectively curtail the proliferation of squatters and mendicants in their communities.

He urged punong barangays to find ways to relocate existing informal settlers to a site with due regard to general welfare and well-being.

The DILG secretary also called on the city and municipal mayors to closely monitor the actions or inactions, of the punong barangay relative to the prevention and control of the proliferation of informal settlers.

Likewise, it shall be the concern of the city or municipal mayor to prevent any elective or appointive local official from interfering with the lawful efforts of a punong barangay or of any appropriate government agency personnel to rid an area of informal settlers.

Robredo also asked provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to provide technical, financial and other possible forms of assistance to the concerned punong barangay in addressing the problem of informal settlement.

He explained that the rampant proliferation of informal settlers has been a nagging perennial problem that besets particularly urban local governments, and despite government efforts, it thrive and, by necessary implication are the unsightly manifestations of urban decay and intergenerational neglect.

The DILG chief reminded local officials that tolerating informal settlements along esteros, creeks, waterways riverbanks and shorelines is a violation of law, while permitting informal settlements along railroad tracks sidewalks, landfills, public cemeteries or in parks and playgrounds is an utter disregard of public safety and an affront to human decency.

At the same time, Robredo directed all DILG regional directors and field officials to monitor local government compliance with the directive, as well as to submit a monthly report on the actions taken by concerned local officials in addressing the proliferation of informal settlers in their respective areas of jurisdiction. ###

DILG Central News Archive DILG Regional News Archive