Slaughterhouse bunkhouse occupants told to pay rentals

BAGUIO CITY – (April 06, 2021) – City officials recently reiterated the implementation of Resolution No. 289, series of 2018, advising the delinquent occupants of Sto. Nin֮o-Slaughterhouse Compound barangay to abide with Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) Resolution No. 010, series of 2014, to avoid eviction and to be fair with other occupants who are dutifully paying their rental fees as per report and recommendation of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance and Resolution No. 641, series of 2020, requesting the Permits and Licensing Division of the City Mayor’s Office to implement the aforesaid resolution to all bunkhouse occupants at the Slaughterhouse Compound barangay.

Under Resolution No. 144, series of 2021, local legislators stated that the Committee on market, Trade and Commerce and Agriculture in its 3rd endorsement dated March 15, 2021, recommended to the local legislative body the implementation of Resolution No. 289, series of 2018, and Resolution No. 64, series of 2020, for the delinquent bunkhouse occupants in barangay Slaughterhouse Compound to pay their rental fees prescribed under BCMA Resolution No. 010, series of 2014.

Earlier, City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias on his 1st endorsement dated February 18, 2021 forwarded to the City Legal Office and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) for immediate and appropriate action copies of final demand for payment and notice of eviction issued to occupants of bunkhouses at Slaughterhouse Compound.

However, in their undated letter, the bunkhouse occupants at the aforesaid area requested the city government for immediate action on Resolution No. 10, series of 2018, issued by the BCMA which stipulated that a P2 per day rate shall be imposed on all structures and stalls in the said area.

In a letter dated July 24, 2017, the bunkhouse occupants in barangay Sto. Nin֮o Slaughterhouse Compound requested the city government for the reduction of the tax and lot payments to a minimal amount because they could not afford the same since they are said to be low-income residents.

The Slaughterhouse Compound is still under the national government, particularly the health department, and was identified as a sanitary camp nursery reservation by virtue of Proclamation 312 dated April 23, 1930, while the city government is only serving as the administrator of the property to date.

In order to decongest the city public market, the city government permitted the establishment of the flea market in the area while other structures, establishments and buildings were erected for commercial and residential purposes.

To regulate the use of the property, the city government conducted a survey as to actual occupants, measurement of occupied, length and period of occupancy and the improvements that were introduced and after the same, it was ascertained that many of the occupants, be it commercial or residential, were not paying rentals to the city.

After several meetings and consultations with the occupants, an agreement was reached that they shall pay the corresponding rental fees to the city and for them to secure the appropriate permits on a year-to-year basis. – Dexter A. See