Illegal construction halted at Forbes Park

Feb. 19, 2026 – The City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) halted the construction of a single-storey structure located at a forest reservation at Forbes Park, Cabinet Hill-Teachers Camp Barangay.
The CBAO conducted a site inspection on Feb. 9 with the assistance of barangay kagawads.
No construction activity was observed at that time but the team was able to talk to the authorized representative of the person who ordered and financed the construction.
She informed authorities that construction began in the last week of January 2026 and claimed that the alleged owner acquired rights over the lot through a Waiver of Rights executed on July 6, 2024, by a previous owner. The property is reportedly part of a parcel covered by Tax Declaration No. 2017-07-039-119596, with a proposed subdivision plan consisting of nine lots and a total area of 8,756 square meters.
Based on findings, the structure has an approximate footprint of 30 square meters and is made of pre-painted G.I. sheets, tubular bars, channel bars and concrete hollow blocks. Verification of CBAO records revealed that the construction is not covered by a building permit.
As a result of the inspection, CBAO served a first Notice of Violation (NOV), which was duly received by the representative. A first conference was scheduled.
The office will continue to monitor compliance and has requested certification from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to determine whether the structure is located within the Forbes Park Forest Reservation.
Records also show that the same owner was previously issued a Notice of Violation and Cease and Desist Order dated December 12, 2025, by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)–Baguio. The order stemmed from findings of alleged occupation and illegal fence construction within the Forbes Park Parcel 1 at Barangay Cabinet Hill, which is part of a forest reservation.
Under Section 78 of Presidential Decree 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, unlawful occupation, possession, or construction within forest land without proper authority is prohibited. The CENRO directed the respondent to cease and desist from continuing the activity and to submit a notarized written explanation within seven days from receipt of the notice. Failure to comply may result in the filing of appropriate charges in court.
Authorities reiterated that compliance with building and environmental laws is mandatory, particularly in areas classified as forest reservations. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo