QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 129)
It refers to individuals or groups who occupy lands without the owner’s express consent but who have sufficient income for legitimate housing; it also applies to persons previously awarded homelots/housing by government but who sold/leased/transferred them and then settled illegally, and to non-bona fide occupants and intruders of lands reserved for socialized housing. It does not apply to those who simply rent land and housing from professional squatters or squatting syndicates.
They are groups engaged in the illegal business of squatter housing for profit or gain.
It states definitions are in accordance with the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (RA 7279), and it directs enforcement of specific RA 7279 provisions (e.g., Sections 30 and 45).
EO creates a National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters and a Local Committee. The National Committee includes DILG (Chairman), HUDCC (Co-Chairman), DOJ, PCUP, PNP, NBI, a representative of PCUP-accredited National Urban Poor Organization, and a representative of an NGO.
To oversee and coordinate intensified government drive; recommend measures to curtail activities; assist LGUs in UDHA implementation regarding squatter syndicates/professional squatters and provide (through PNP/DOJ) a consolidated list; and update the Office of the President and submit reports.
The mayor (with permanent alternate), local chief of PNP (with alternate), PCUP representative (with alternate), president of a PCUP-accredited urban poor organization (with alternate), and a private sector representative chosen by the above members.
Within 60 days from the effectivity of the EO.
Examples (any five): identify and curtail activities (including naming abetting/tolerating public/private persons); provide HUDCC/NHA copies of identified offenders for safeguarding/disqualification; provide legal assistance to victims; make available consolidated lists via PNP/DOJ; file charges before court/prosecutor’s office; investigate demolition/eviction violations and recommend actions; monitor demolition/eviction and establish a monitoring system; submit reports to the National Committee; call on government entities for assistance if necessary.
LGUs shall summarily evict the offenders and demolish their dwelling structures.
It directs LGUs, PCUP, and PNP to monitor and implement Section 30 of RA 7279 regarding new illegal entrants (those guilty of squatting after the effectivity of RA 7279). It also instructs agencies to enforce Section 45 (Penalty Clause) of RA 7279 on new illegal entrants.
To protect rightful UDHA beneficiaries who may be affected by urgent government infrastructure projects and to ensure that squatter syndicates/professional squatters do not victimize beneficiaries through disinformation, fee-collecting, harassment, and manipulation of program access.
Local Committees must provide HUDCC and NHA copies of identified squatting syndicates and professional squatters to safeguard them from inclusion in future programs/projects and recommend disqualification in existing programs.
Local Committees must provide legal assistance to victims of professional squatters/syndicates and make available, through PNP and DOJ, a consolidated list of squatting syndicates and professional squatters.
The concerned agencies identified in the EO, specifically by reference to enforcement of Section 45 of RA 7279 against new illegal entrants, in coordination with mechanisms involving LGUs, PCUP, and PNP for monitoring and DOJ/PNP for prosecution support.
It takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation as provided by law.
All executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with EO No. 129 are repealed or modified accordingly.