OBO tells CPA to remove ‘illegal’ fence

CEBU, Philippines - For lack of permit, the Office of the Building Officials (OBO) in Cebu City ordered the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to immediately remove the metal fence that it constructed near the Senior Citizens Park.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete, who was designated by Mayor Michael Rama as the officer-in-charge, said the order for the removal of the fence came from the mayor before he left for Manila.       

The CPA officials insisted to construct the metal fence around its property near the old Compania Maritima even with the issuance of a cease and desist order by OBO two weeks ago prohibiting them from building the fence without securing the necessary permit.

Poblete yesterday communicated with OBO Chief Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez to discuss their move on how to remove the illegally-constructed metal fence.

Section 301 of the Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines provides that “no person, firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the government shall erect, construct, alter, reppair, move, convert —without first obtaining a building permit from OBO.”

City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez said it is very clear that the Cebu Port Authority, although holding a charter of its own, is not exempted from securing a building permit for the construction of the fence.

But CPA Legal Officer Yosup J. Uckung explained that even if they do not have a construction permit, their project is not illegal.

He said he could not remember that the port officials secured permits from OBO when they built projects within the CPA’s territorial jurisdiction.

Enriquez earlier threatened to file the necessary charges before the court against the CPA officials if they will not heed the order.

Enriquez added even the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) gets permit for the infrastructure within their properties in port area.

Poblete said he will support if OBO will decide to forcibly remove the fence. —with  Marielle Shayne L. Palaubsanon (FREEMAN)