OBO confirms Kasambagan construction started sans permit

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Office of the Building Officials (OBO) has confirmed that the construction project in Barangay Kasambagan that has been the subject of several complaints from the residents of the place does not have a building permit when it started construction.

Pascual Gimenez Jr., head of OBO’s enforcement team, said his office had earlier issued notices of violations to Venus Manigsaca, the registered owner of the construction project undertaken by the Big Buzz Construction and General Services.

The City Hall received a complaint from retired general Emilio Luga Jr. in February this year complaining against the illegal construction because of unnecessary noise and dust particles that is hazardous to health.

OBO personnel inspected the building construction at F. Cabahug Street and found out that the Big Buzz Construction had started the project even before their application for building permit is approved.

After Luga, another resident Cresenciana Montayre complained to City Hall against the same illegal construction in their place.

Gimenez said OBO had issued a subpoena to the building owner requesting her appearance before the office for investigation on the complaints filed against her for violating the provisions of Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code.

However, two days after the subpoena was issued, Manigsaca’s application for building permit was approved by OBO chief Josefa Ylanan.

On June 27, OBO had again issued another notice of violation to Manigsaca for failure to use proper safety measures in the construction premises. The violation resulted in the suspension of the construction work.

However, the suspension was lifted two days later after the contractor complied with the safety requirements. (FREEMAN)