AFP reviewing policy on informal settlers in military properties, eyes housing project for personnel

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said it is reviewing its policies regarding informal settlers occupying military-owned properties.

In a statement, the AFP said its Real Estate Office (AFPREO) on Wednesday started a workshop that aims to review and validate existing policy regarding such informal settlers.

AFPREO chief Brigadier General Augusto Gaite led the opening ceremony of the three-day workshop at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Country in Camp Aguinaldo.

“The AFPR G 499-012 was published on 06 May 2010, to address the informal occupation of civilian and military personnel within military grounds,” he said.

“More than a decade has passed, it is time to review and validate the responsiveness of this policy to today's challenges as we gear up towards the modernization of today's armed forces and its future thrust to be world-class,” he added.

Around 40 participants will assess and amend the AFP Regulation G 499-012 “Treatment of Squatters in AFP Military Reservations and Other AFP-owned Real-estate Properties.”

Gaite cited the lack of housing opportunities as one of the reasons for having informal settlers on military grounds.  He said that the AFPREO is eyeing to provide off-base housing projects to 20% of AFP personnel by next year.

Experts from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Ombudsman, and Office of the Solicitor General shared their basic knowledge in land management on the first day of the workshop.

On the following day, the workshop will have discussion on major issues and concerns from the experiences and problems encountered by administrators.

For the final day, there will be a presentation of group findings and recommendations to the plenary.

“Hopefully after this workshop we'll be able to have that end-state of a policy wherein we have to implement. It's not about planning also, it's all about doing," he said.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News