The Urban Development and Housing Act also requires that private sector actors jp resettlement development and housing construction are invited to participate in any consultative process."! The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta of Womenrequire that all levels of government ensure that women participate in every phaseof relief, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction after natural disasters to ensure a gender sensitive response.”” 26. The Commission advises that all persons displaced by Typhoon Yolanda must be consulted according to these standards before they are resettled or prevented from reconstructing their original dwellings. It is recommended that comprehensive information dissemination and widespread community-based consultations are conducted as part of the resettlement activities of the Government to ensure compliance with these standards. “No-Build Zones” or “No-Dwelling Zones” vis a vis Evictions, Demolition and Resettlement The Commission is aware of the extensive demarcation of “no-build zones” and othervariants, including “no-dwelling zones” by the Department of Environmentand Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other agencies and LGUsto prohibit the reconstruction of many residential dwellings destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda.’ In view of this widespread practice the Commission issues the following advice, which should be observed during the implementation and enforcementof any “no-build or no-dwelling zones”. International Human Rights Standards Forced evictions are prima facie incompatible with State obligations under internationallaw to protect the right to adequate and decent housing.** The Governmenthas a duty to establish conditions and provide means that allow displaced people to return voluntarily - in safety and with dignity - to their homes or places of habitual residence orto resettle voluntarily in another part of the Philippines.*° “No-build zones”, which prevent people from voluntarily returning to their original places of residences andrequire them to involuntarily resettle in other 41 42 43 44 Sec. 24, Republic Act No. 7279, Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. Sec. 13(B.), Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 9710, Magna Carta of Womenof 2008. Based on numerous reports available online at: http:/www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/11/24/1260147/ dpwh-denr-identify-no-build-zones-leyte-dpw, http://ph.news.yahoo.com/no-build-zone-yolanda-areas-strictlyimplemented-180611516.html, http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/12/13/tacloban-passes-40- meter-no-build-zone-ordinance-318688, http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/provincial/tacloban-city-sp-yet-totransmit-40-meter-no-dwelling-zone-ordinance-to-office-of-the-mayor/, http://cityofbacolod.com/2014/02/02/ no-build-zone-in-yolanda-areas-strictly-implemented/, http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1141390188677 Para. 18, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Comment No. 4 on the Right to Adequat’ Housing Principle 28.1, UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.