TARGET: PROFESSIONAL SQUATTERS
BY JEZZA NEPOMOCENO ILOILO City – The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) urged local chief executives to go after professional squatters and squatting syndicates. Professional squatters as defined by law refers to individuals or groups who occupy lands without the express consent of the landowner and who have sufficient income for legitimate housing. HUDCC’s Legal Services Group Director IV Atty. Ribonette Aguilar said there can be no development if professional squatters and squatting syndicates (PSSS) are not stopped. Aguilar was among the speakers during Pabahay Caravan here early this week with no less than Vice President Jejomar Binay leading. Local chief executives must adopt measures to identify and effectively curtail the nefarious and illegal activities of PSSS pursuant to Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, stressed Aguilar. Reports from National Police Task Force on Professional Squatters and Squa...