Metropolis Councilor Jun Alcover | Screengrab from Sangguniang Panglungsod Cebu Metropolis – Secretariat
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A department of a serious fast-food large in downtown Cebu Metropolis is underneath fireplace for encroaching on a public sidewalk and not using a constructing allow, a violation that has persevered for years with out enforcement.
Throughout a public listening to on the town’s proposed revised zoning ordinance, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover questioned why no motion had been taken towards the institution situated on the nook of F. Gonzales Road, regardless of a number of complaints since 2016.
“Nganong untouchable man na siya?” Alcover requested.
(Why is it untouchable?)
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He stated pedestrians on their method to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño have lengthy been compelled to stroll on the highway as a result of the sidewalk has been blocked.
Anne Marie Cuizon, the assistant head of the Metropolis Planning and Growth Workplace (CPDO), confirmed the enterprise has no locational clearance, whereas Workplace of the Constructing Official (OBO) consultant Emmanuel Cuizon additionally admitted the institution lacks a constructing allow.
The OBO, he stated, had issued a number of notices and referred the case to the Cebu Metropolis Authorized Workplace, however enforcement has remained elusive.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera criticized the unequal therapy of violators. She famous that whereas a shanty was criminally charged for easement encroachment, the industrial institution has operated uninterrupted for over seven years.
“Barong-barong ang gikiha, pero constructing, wala gihapon. That’s not proper,” Pesquera stated.
(The shanty was charged, however the constructing nonetheless wasn’t.)
Cuizon argued that regardless of their efforts, they’re hampered by the shortage of authority to straight pursue authorized motion, as solely the town’s authorized workplace can file instances.
He added that their personnel have confronted “intimidation” when making an attempt to implement insurance policies.
Councilor Jerry Guardo shared the identical frustrations over persevering with easement violations elsewhere within the metropolis.
He stated that even with cease-and-desist orders and barangay and police involvement, building nonetheless proceeds.
“Asa man ang ngipon sa OBO? Walay ngipon nga mopa-stop nila,” Guardo stated. (The place is the authority of the OBO? They don’t have any actual energy to cease them.)
Councilor Noel Wenceslao famous the problem of unchecked industrial encroachments is just not distinctive to downtown Cebu, mentioning comparable issues in upland areas the place companies are sprouting close to protected zones.
Councilor Philip Zafra stated the scenario displays a broader failure in enforcement.
“It’s irritating to go so many insurance policies solely to see no motion on the bottom,” he stated.
Cuizon assured the council that the OBO will revisit the problem and is awaiting the stakeholders’ compliance to clear the decrease floor flooring. /csl
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