DENR is asking permit to demolish warehouse

CEBU, Philippines - The Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has applied for a demolition permit to tear down the warehouses in front of City Hall declared earlier by the Office of the Building Officials (OBO) as hazardous.

NRDC President Felix J. Mariñas applied for permit to demolish before OBO last February 28 and the application is now being processed.

The structure to be demolished is located along M.C. Briones Street and Plaridel Street just across the City Hall’s annex building.

The building is composed of four blocks of warehouses covering almost 3,000 square meters of National Government-owned lot.

Assistant City Administrator for Economic Enterprise and lawyer Dominic Diño said the City, as agreed during their dialogue with the DENR, will shoulder the cost of the demolition.

Last week, a request to estimate the cost that will be incurred in the demolition was forwarded to the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

“We do not know the cost yet but we have assured DENR that the City is willing to shoulder the cost,” Diño said.

It was the City Government, after all, that requested for the demolition of the structure due to its present condition.

 Since few years ago, the OBO has declared the structure vulnerable to collapse in the event of high intensities of seismic activity such as earthquake.

However, the City Government could not easily demolish the structure because it is owned by the National Government particularly the DENR.

Communications were sent to DENR since last year asking the latter’s cooperation in removing the building to prevent possible accidents in the future.

The building is occupied by informal settlers and some traders are illegally using the building as a warehouse.

The DENR agreed to demolish the building heeding the findings of OBO. Informal settlers have started vacating the area.

The structural engineer who inspected the building also discouraged the rehabilitation and repair of the building since it would cost more than building a new structure.

Diño said that after the structure is removed, Mayor Michael Rama is planning to convert it into a park overlooking the sea.

“To convince DENR to use the area for such purpose (park) will be our next move,” Diño said. – (FREEMAN)