Fast food chain told to explain violation

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Legal Office has ordered a fast food chain to explain why it should not be held liable for violation of the National Building Code of the Philippines for encroaching on the sidewalk along Osmeña Boulevard.

The notice of violation was sent yesterday following the directive of Mayor Edgardo Labella. The mayor earlier questioned how the branch of a fast food chain was authorized to construct on the sidewalk.

Section1002 of the National Building Code of the Philippines provides that no part of any structure or its appendage shall project into any alley or street, national road or public highway.

Lawyer Rey Gealon, city legal officer, said that the city government will not tolerate any violation of law considering that the mayor strictly adheres to the "rule of law" and that no one must be above it.

Office of the Building Official (OBO) head Architect Florante Catalan said that upon checking the establishment’s application, he found out that the application was “returned to owner for some deficiencies to comply.”

“Basta returned to owner, wala siyay permit. Naa ra siyay application, wala pa na-approve,” said Catalan.

Catalan explained that the fast food branch near the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño may be considered an illegal structure since it has no permit.

“Nag-process pa man sila,” he said.

Catalan, however, said that the city government will not necessarily demolish the establishment. He said that it will undergo a thorough discussion in order to come up with a possible solution.

“Make no mistake, the CLO will not hesitate to cite business owners for their violations, after due process, and file appropriate charges for the same,” said Gealon.

The establishment is given five days, from October 1, to explain why no citation for violation should be issued against them. — FPL (FREEMAN)