A lawmaker from Paranaque City has proposed a Code of Conduct for the evictions and demolitions of informal settlers’ homes to avoid violence.
“The outbreak of violence during the conduct of evictions and demolitions of our urban and rural poor brethren has not only consistently hogged headlines, it has and more unfortunately, led to instances of severe injuries as well as to the loss of lives,” Representative Gustavo Tambunting, a former Paranaque vice mayor said.
Tambunting’s bill designates the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor as the lead agency for coordinating evictions and demolitions. It will be given the power to issue Certificates of Compliance before any eviction activities are carried out.
Evictions will also have to be done in coordination with barangay officials and with advance notice of at least five days. The bill also directs eviction teams to exercise maximum tolerance, with police restricted to keeping the peace.
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Photo: Tanggol Kabuhayan
