THE DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is cracking down on illegal subdivision developers in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, mostly on land awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries. “This is to go after those illegal subdivision developers and to file criminal complaints against them because they are mandated by law to provide minimum standards set by PD (Presidential Decree) 957 for their buyers and clients,” Miguel T. Palma Gil, officer-in-charge regional director of DHSUD-Davao, told the media last week. PD 957 provides regulations on the sale of subdivision lots and condominiums. Mr. Palma Gil said the investigation was prompted by a complaint from a Davao City resident over a blocked drainage system. It turned out that the subdivision was developed and the land units sold without a license. “They did not have a proper canal system, proper road networks… no water and electricity line… There are several now in the Davao Region,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. The DHSUD official also warned buyers against transacting with developers and sellers who do not have a license. — Maya M. Padillo

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