Cebu City Task Force Formed to Reclaim Illegally Occupied Properties

 

CEBU CITY – In a bid to accelerate infrastructure development and provide housing for homeless residents, the city government is launching a concerted effort to reclaim its properties from illegal occupants, Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced on Tuesday.

Acting Mayor Garcia disclosed that Task Force Pabahay (Housing) will focus on retrieving city-owned lands that have been encroached upon, particularly those earmarked for roads which have been taken over by shanties or converted into unauthorized parking spaces.

"We are initiating a task force dedicated to safeguarding and formally transferring these properties under the ownership of the City of Cebu," said Acting Mayor Garcia.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Garcia emphasized the necessity for the city to secure ownership of these lands to facilitate essential improvements such as road expansions, which are currently hindered by the properties' ambiguous legal status.

The task force, comprising the Department of General Services responsible for documentation, the City Assessor’s Office managing property tax declarations, and city engineers tasked with conducting surveys, will spearhead these efforts.

Councilor Jerry Guardo underscored the detrimental impact of illegal occupations on city infrastructure, noting that road widths have diminished, exacerbating traffic congestion.

Guardo expressed support for utilizing reclaimed city lands to construct residential buildings aimed at accommodating homeless families currently residing on the streets.

The initiative marks a proactive step towards optimizing urban spaces for sustainable development and addressing the pressing housing needs of Cebu City's most vulnerable residents.

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