Know the Baguio mayorlaty candidate: Leandro Yangot Jr.

3 MIN READ

By ROBERT A. PAMBID and PRINCESS HONEYLET A. TEJARES

Q1. What is your position on demolition of ‘squatters’ structures?

Demolition is a very general term. We have the Urban Development Housing Act or Republic Act 7279, which is very clear in the matter that for old structures, there is a process that should be followed so that one of those which are covered by the said law should not be the subject of summary demolitions. In fact, there is a provision for relocation for those who squat in private properties. They should be appropriately relocated; the owner should give a relocation site for those who squatted on their private properties. There are many cases here in Baguio involving private properties, there is a process for that. Those private land owners, our stand is that we talk to the owners for the possibility for the actual occupants to acquire the property at a very reasonable price. In terms of public lands, especially those who are in lands like the parks, watersheds, or road right of way, definitely, they have to be relocated. Because we only have a few remaining watersheds in the City of Baguio. For those who fall under the provision of the so-called summary demolition, that’s another story, we really have to do something about this.

Q2. What is your position on developing the market?

We believe that the market should be a world-class facility. Baguio City is known to be a tourist destination, therefore, it should be a world-class facility but before doing so, we should conduct a thorough consultation. We have initially discussed and they agreed with us that we should repair the market.

Q3. What is your program for ambulant vendors?

Definitely, we would like them to be given a more permanent place, we intend to relocate them. Of course, we understand that they are out there to feed their families. It is their only source of living. However, they should also be taken with the program of the government maintaining our parks, alleys and roads free from any obstructions. So alongside with the program on providing livelihood for the people in the City of Baguio providing them employment, so we should put them in a proper place.

Q4. How will you address the water shortage in the City?

Together with the water district, we shall actively look into the possibility of putting up additional deep wells in the City of Baguio.

Q5. In your own opinion, what are the top three problems in Baguio? How to solve these problems?

Electricity. If I will be elected as mayor, I will make sure that those who does not have any light will be given such. In fact, I authored a proposed resolution on amnesty. I believe, it is a right, not a privilege. It is the right of every citizen in Baguio to have electric power. I pity our children who only use candles and lamps as their source of light at night because of the policy that if you do not have any building permit here, you will not be given light. Unfortunately, I cannot pass it in the city council. So if I have my way as a city mayor, I will initiate the move to give light to every house, to every resident of the City of Baguio. There is a big problem also with peace and order. There is a lot of killings, stealing, victims of crimes against properties etc. So if elected as mayor, we will definitely promote a program against crimes. We will strengthen the partnership between the barangays and the police.

Q6. What is your position on political killings?

We abhor and we condemn this act of cowardice of some parties who are out there to assassinate people who believe in certain principles and certain political leanings and we say this should stop.#