Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — The mayor of Silang, Cavite trained guns on a private company’s alleged “illegal” structures built on the land crucial to completing the multibillion-peso Cavite-Laguna Expressway.
In a statement over the weekend, Mayor Kevin Anarna said based on the records of the Office of the Local Building Official of the Municipality of Silang, Uneco Land Corp. has no permit to build a ranch in the disputed area.
“The structures are found illegal. They don’t get permits from us. So, in the first place, they should not be built there. We already have issued notices to them for compliance, yet they still have failed to do so,” he said.
In November, MPCALA Holdings Inc., operator of CALAX, bared that the company was experiencing a right-of-way (ROW) problem for its Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange.
The completion rate of the segment is currently at 64% as the group and the government have yet to settle the 450-square meter land owned by Uneco, which is needed for the construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, and installation of fence and coco net.
The Department of Public Works and Highways previously said Uneco was demanding ROW payment ranging from ₱50 million to ₱60 million, way higher than the ₱16 million estimates of the agency.
Anarna said the local government was “very willing” to help MPCALA to complete the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange as it targets a cityhood status by 2025.
