“TAX DECLARATION NOT PROOF OF OWNERSHIP”

THE owners of houses and restaurants built on foreshore lands along the baywalks in San Fabian, Binmaley and Lingayen stand to be demolished and their owners sued by the provincial government.

Gov. Ramon Guico III declared his intent adding that he will file complaints against local officials responsible for the proliferation of “illegal” establishments in public and unclassified land in the three areas.

He said there was a connivance of some persons for allowing the construction of such establishments with just proof of tax declarations. “We will sue them, it’s abusive,” he said.

In an interview, Guico said, “Lahat ng establishments dyan walang tax, hindi sila mabubuwisan ng BIR… wala silang mayor’s permit… wala silang occupancy permit…wala silang building permit… walang proof of ownership ng lupa dahil lahat yan ay public and unclassified land”.

Asked if the establishments would be demolished, he said, “Wala silang magagawa. Kahit magsampa sila ng kaso sa korte, sige, ako hinahamon ko na sila eh,” adding that there is no way anyone can claim ownership of foreshore lands.

Guico said only a few have tenurial instrument, like only three have in San Fabian.

“Ako talagang palaban na ako dito because Lingayen is a capital town…. pinagkukuha nila ang lupa kung ano-ano ang pinagtatayo nila,” he intoned. “I will remove you so that my provincemates who are jobless will benefit there,” he added.

He said that once the areas are cleared, he will invite corporations like SM or Ayala Mall to lease the land for 30 years to 50 years and build income generating establishments including housing projects that will be authorized by the Baywalk Management Authority so the government will earn revenues and jobs will be generated.

“Walang binabayaran ang mga yan,” he said, referring to the existing establishments and warned that those who issued tax declarations will be held accountable.

The governor said he also plans to build open park cottages that will be managed by cooperatives so that revenues that will be shared by all.

However, Guico said he is still open to a talk with those who built their “illegal” structures and explore a win-win solution. “Ang gusto ko lang is that you recognize that that is not your land, that is the land of the Republic of the Philippines na ang dapat makinabang yung karamihan,” he stressed.

On June 19, the provincial board passed a resolution sponsored by Third District Board Member Vici Ventanilla “ensuring that all structures and occupants along Pangasinan Baywalk have all legal documents necessary for a valid occupation” in support of the provincial government’s development of a masterplan for Pangasinan Baywalk.

Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said the resolution is the start for the regulation of all the occupants of all the locators along the baywalk areas (Eva Visperas)

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