OBO urged to hasten processing of permits

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Building Official (OBO) is now tasked to speed up the processing of applications for building construction permits as Mayor Michael Rama wants them to be immediately released to applicants.

The mayor wants this done to prevent further delay on the start of the projects.

Although he is not totally against the city council’s request to prohibit the construction of projects before the approval of building permits, Rama wants to speed up the issuance of permits within one day or a few days.

OBO head Engr. Josefa Ylanan assured that she can release the permits before the lapse of the 15-day maximum period set by the National Building Code if the applicants can submit all the necessary supporting documents.

But Ylanan said her other problem is the lack of technical personnel to review the technical descriptions of the building permit applications because OBO has only 32 personnel and cannot cope with the work demands.

Even if he wants to hasten the issuance of permits at the OBO, Rama did not assure that he will assign additional technical personnel to the said office.

Rama is pushing for the creation of a so-called “One Stop Shop” or an office or building where representatives from the various government agencies involved in the issuance of the necessary documents may hold office together.

Before a building permit can be secured, the applicants need to first get a locational clearance from the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to find out whether the site is fit for the planned projects based on the zoning ordinance.

Although OBO and CPDO are two different offices, these are both situated at the City Hall building.

After the locational clearance, the applicant for building construction permit also needs to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), which is situated in Banilad.

With Rama’s wish to have a “One Stop Shop“, some representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) may also be included.

Some of the applicants for building construction permits are complaining because it takes OBO personnel several weeks or even months to approve their applications.

Rama said barangay officials should help the city stop illegal constructions within their respective areas because the Cebu City government is giving them honoraria every month.

The law requires those who wish to build structures to secure permits first to ensure the stability of their buildings.  (FREEMAN)