Issuing authority, title, effectivity
- This is Executive Order No. 129, entitled “ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO CURTAIL THE ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SQUATTING SYNDICATES AND PROFESSIONAL SQUATTERS AND INTENSIFYING THE DRIVE AGAINST THEM.”
- The order was signed October 15, 1993 by Fidel V. Ramos, President of the Philippines.
- Section 5 provides that the order takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation as provided by law.
- The order is issued by virtue of the President’s powers vested by law.
- The order was countersigned by Teofisto T. Guingona, Jr., Executive Secretary.
Policy objectives and institutional intent
- The order is issued to arrest the proliferation of squatters in urban areas aggravated by squatting syndicates.
- The order requires identification and registration of the rightful beneficiaries of Republic Act No. 7279 (UDHA) affected by urgent government infrastructure projects.
- The order directs LGUs, the DILG, and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) to implement relocation and resettlement procedures and effectively curtail illegal squatter activities.
- The order protects rightful UDHA beneficiaries from professional squatters and squatting syndicates that prey on and victimize them through disinformation, fee-collection, and harassment.
- The order establishes a mechanism to ensure compliance with UDHA and its implementing rules on demolition and eviction.
National committee and functions
- Section 2.1 creates a National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters.
- The National Committee is composed of:
- DILG (Chairman),
- HUDCC (Co-Chairman),
- DOJ,
- PCUP,
- PNP,
- NBI,
- a PCUP-accredited National Urban Poor Organization representative,
- a representative of a Non-Government Organization.
- Section 2.1.2(a) requires the Committee to oversee and coordinate government activities for the intensified drive against professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
- Section 2.1.2(b) requires the Committee to recommend appropriate measures/actions to curtail their activities.
- Section 2.1.2(c) requires the Committee to assist LGUs in implementing UDHA provisions on squatting syndicates and professional squatters and to make available, through PNP and DOJ, a consolidated list of squatting syndicates and professional squatters.
- Section 2.1.2(d) requires the Committee to update the Office of the President and submit reports on implementation.
Local committees and 60-day action
- Section 2.2.1 directs all government units to create a Local Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters.
- The Local Committee is composed of:
- the mayor of the concerned city/municipality with a permanent alternate,
- the local chief of PNP with a permanent alternate,
- a PCUP representative with a permanent alternate,
- the president of the PCUP-accredited urban poor organization with a permanent alternate,
- a private-sector representative chosen by the above members.
- Section 2.2.2(a) requires each Local Committee, within 60 days from the effectivity of the order, to adopt necessary measures to identify and effectively curtail the activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates, including identifying names of public officials and/or private individuals or companies abetting or tolerating the act.
- Section 2.2.2(b) requires the Local Committee to provide HUDCC and NHA copies of identified squatting syndicates and professional squatters to safeguard against their inclusion in future programs/projects and to recommend disqualification in existing programs.
- Section 2.2.2(c) requires the Local Committee to provide legal assistance to victims and to make available, through PNP and DOJ, a consolidated list of squatting syndicates and professional squatters.
- Section 2.2.2(d) requires the Local Committee to file necessary charges before the court or Prosecutor’s Office.
- Section 2.2.2(e) requires the Local Committee to undertake investigation on demolition and eviction violation cases forwarded to it and recommend appropriate actions to concerned agencies.
- Section 2.2.2(f) requires the Local Committee to monitor demolition and eviction activities, draw up, and establish its monitoring system.
- Section 2.2.2(g) requires the Local Committee to submit reports to the National Committee Office of the President and furnish concerned agencies involved in implementing Republic Act No. 7279.
- Section 2.2.2(h) authorizes the Local Committee to call on any government entities for assistance, if necessary.
Mandatory actions against offenders
- Section 3 requires LGUs, upon recommendation of their local committees, to summarily evict the offenders and demolish their dwelling structures.
- Section 3 requires LGUs, PCUP, and PNP to monitor and implement Section 30 of Republic Act No. 7279 on new illegal entrants, defined as those guilty of squatting after the effectivity of Republic Act No. 7279.
- Section 3 requires the concerned agencies identified in the order to enforce Section 45 (Penalty Clause) of Republic Act No. 7279 on new illegal entrants.
Repeal and effectivity
- Section 4 repeals or modifies all executive orders, rules, regulations, other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with Executive Order No. 129.
- Section 5 provides that the order takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation as provided by law.
- The order’s implementation is structured through the created national and local committees and enforcement linkages to Republic Act No. 7279 (including Sections 30 and 45).