Help monitor illegal structures

CEBU, Philippines —  For the office to have more time monitoring ongoing projects, the Office of the Building Official has requested the barangay captains to help address complaints on illegal construction within their respective jurisdiction.

Architect Florante Catalan, head of OBO, said his office receives at least 10 to 15 complaints of illegal construction daily.

He said these complaints can be addressed by the barangay officials who have the power to issue cease and desist order as mandated by the City Ordinance 1481.

“Naay mga silingan nga manumbong sa OBO nga naay illegal construction sa ilang balay. Mao ni ang naka cause nga daghan kaayo og trabahoon ang OBO nga pwede unta magamit ang time to monitor sa mga tanang constructions sa syudad,” Catalan said.

He said barangay officials need to act on the complaints of their constituents for faster actions because they have the power to immediately issue a cease and desist order.

For OBO to do it, Catalan said, it would take several notices before they can stop the illegal construction. He explained that OBO’s procedure requires them to issue three notices and three subpoenas.

“Maong manghangyo mi sa inyoha nga kon maka receive mo og communication from OBO, i-forward namo og balik sa inyoha ang tanang complaints nga nadawat namo,” Catalan told the barangay captains during an assembly last Tuesday.

Catalan, however, assured that his office will continue to inspect and monitor the ongoing projects in the city. He said his office needs the assistance of the barangays because OBO does not only cater to the complaints from the different barangays but it is also processing business permits.

“Barangay officials have the power to monitor, notify and advise in writing the owner, contractor, carpenter or worker to remove or demolish any illegal structure within their respective barangays within 10 days,” he said.

Failure or refusal of the owner to remove or demolish the illegal structure would mean that the city government will do the demolition. — FPL (FREEMAN)