DILG to Manila Bay mayors: Shut down violators

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday ordered mayors of 178 towns and cities in the Manila Bay watershed area to revoke the business permits of establishments violating environmental laws.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año directed all mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) to ensure that all establishments in their areas comply with provisions of the National Building Code, the Fire Code, the Code of Sanitation and other related laws.

To ensure the implementation of these laws, Año also instructed DILG regional directors of NCR, Central Luzon and Calabarzon to report to him through local government units (LGUs) any local chief executives who fail to abide by his directive.

Año said LGUs should enforce the orders from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and other government agencies involved in the cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

“All LGUs should revoke or cancel permits of establishments found to have committed violations and/or are non-compliant with environmental and other applicable laws,” he said.

DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said since January, the DENR and LLDA have been inspecting commercial establishment to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

“They have issued cease-and-desist orders and notices of violations to various establishments. All concerned LGUs should immediately act on the findings of the DENR and LLDA and revoke or suspend the business permits they have issued,” he said.

Malaya stressed that a business or mayor’s permit is not a right but a privilege granted by the government.

“The Supreme Court has ruled that a business permit is subject to the regulation of the state and may therefore be revoked or withdrawn if there is cause to do so,” he added.