For building code violation: City to close 2 IT Park bldgs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña plans to close two buildings at the Cebu I.T. Park for allegedly violating the building code.

These buildings, Osmeña said, are allegedly using their parking spaces to house call center offices.

He did not disclose the names of the two buildings.

 “There are at least two buildings in the IT Park that we have identified where they have used their parking area as a call center,” he said.

“We have to inform all the call centers and other commercial establishments that we will shut you down if you are occupying the parking lot,” he said.

Osmeña said the city government is set to issue a show cause notice to the buildings’ owners.

He clarified that he is not going after call centers but building owners that violate the city’s rules and regulations.

Osmeña said businessmen should follow the conditions stipulated in the permits the city issues to business owners like the building permit and business permit, among others.

He said he will not give the owners of the IT Park buildings a chance.

“We will first analyze because to me, there’s a big chance that there was malice when they did it. How come you do not know it’s supposed to be a parking lot? It’s your own building. Parking lot is a parking lot. Why is it now a call center?” the mayor said.

Osmeña said he can’t run a city while giving favors to violators because the same would set precedence.

“I’m definitely going to be strict about it,” he said.

The mayor said he came to know about the two buildings’ operations from an anonymous source.

Yesterday, he warned establishments anew: “I’m making that announcement now. Bantay lang diha. Don’t get caught.”

The city government has been issuing closure orders against business establishments such as the two branches of the famous Rico’s Lechon, its central commissary along Highway 77 in Barangay Talamban, Ed’s Tambayan, Time Out Sports Bar, Jeshian Café, among others for allegedly operating without business permits. (FREEMAN)