President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will not allow the demolition of informal settlers’ dwellings if there is no available relocation site like what he did in Davao City.
Duterte condemned demolitions approved even when relocation sites for affected families have not been prepared. He blasted the practice as inhumane.
There will be no construction activity if the people of that area do not have a guaranteed relocation site, unless otherwise if the residents have legal documents that can support his rights to defend the area. In addition, there is also a new policy in the Department called ‘No Permit to Enter, No Bidding’ requiring all proposed 2017 projects to be validated, thus securing infra projects to be implemented are free from any obstruction that may cause reasons for delay or termination especially concerns involving Road Right Of Way (RROW). A Permit to Enter shall be secured in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) before the actual implementation begins.
According to the law, demolition is only allowed under specific situations such as when the residents occupy danger zones and public places, areas where government infrastructure projects are about to be implemented, or where there is a court order for eviction and demolition.