CLARK FREEPORT — At least 2,000 square meters of land owned by the government being occupied by illegal settlers was recovered by the Clark Development Corporation via its Estate Preservation and Recovery Division.
The CDC stressed that the informal settlers conducting an unregistered business activity which prompted it to conduct a takeover and demolition operation with personnel from CDC-EPRD, CDC Public Safety Division, Building Facilities and Maintenance Division, Construction Management Division, Health and Sanitation Division and the Philippine National Police.
The group conducted the operation on the said area located at the northern side of Clark Special Economic Zone.
According to CDC, the area which was illegally occupied by business partners Oscar Rivera and Krishayne Victoria, is within the territorial boundary of Clark Freeport Zone and is an identified property of Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
The state-owned firm initially issued a Cease and Desist Order in December last year after having found that Rivera and Victoria is using the said property to operate an unregistered hollow blocks making business without legal permits from CDC.
Records from the state-owned firm also showed that Rivera and Victoria did not apply for any permit or lease agreement to conduct their business in the area. A series of correspondence and meetings were held to discuss the issue, but Rivera and Victoria did not show up.
In his letter to CDC dated 4 February 2022, Rivera claimed that the area is part of CADT025A and is part of their ancestral domain. However, based on the survey conducted by CDC, the identified piece of land is outside the bounds of CADT025A.
Implementing its legal authority under Republic Act 7227 and Executive Order 80, CDC later issued a Notice to Vacate dated 2 September 2022, and ordered for its immediate implementation.
Demolition activity on three structures established within the area was conducted after clearance and inventory of personal belongings were completed.
The CDC disclosed that the area was already leased to a locator in this Freeport who plans to expand its operations through a tourism -related facility that will offer an All-Terrain Vehicle experience for future tourists and guests.
The business operation is expected to bring more employment opportunities to residents of communities near this Freeport and the recovered area will also be significant in the establishment of vital infrastructure in the Freeport such as the slope protection of the Clark-Dolores Access Road.
