Council asks city engr: Explain ‘illegal’ construction in export zone

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City Council will invite acting city engineer Allan Pedrigal to shed light on the alleged illegal construction of a building inside the Mactan Export Zone Phase 2 in Barangay Basak.

The move of the City Council was in response to the complaint raised by former Bankal councilor Mario Aying to the council.

Aying personally wrote a letter to the City Council informing them of an ongoing construction at the Tamiya area in MEZ 2. According to him, the building was constructed at the pond area of the zone.

He further said the building is allegedly constructed for a department store located at the open area in MEZ 2 and reportedly owned by a big company based in Manila.

Aying alleged that the open space is not ideal for a building as he called on the city engineering office to look into the ongoing construction. Specifically, he asked if the city engineering office released a building permit for the said construction.

While Aying said he welcomed the development of Lapu-Lapu City, he pointed out that there is also a need to make sure that the giving of permits should be properly complied with by concerned businessmen.

Aying threatened to file charges before the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman against Pedrigal and city officials concerned if the construction of the building will push through.

The City Council in last week’s regular session already agreed to look into the matter and called Pedrigal to shed light on the issue. They believe the need to inform the public on the status of the said construction.  (FREEMAN)