Cortes padlocks 12 establishments

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government yesterday padlocked 12 business establishments in Barangay Looc for operating on a city-owned lot without permission and non-payment of taxes.

Mayor Jonas Cortes ordered the closure of these establishments since last year but the order was ignored. The various establishments occupying the government lot along J. Ceniza Street at the vicinity of Land Transportation Office include barbershops, insurance offices and sari-sari stores.

City Legal Officer Giovanni Tianero yesterday led in the implementation of the order and the actual closure of the illegal establishments. Tianero said these establishments failed to secure the permission of the city government before they started operation aside from the fact that they were not paying taxes to the city government.

Tianero and his personnel padlocked the establishments and posted the closure notice on the door. He warned the owners that, should they insist on operating illegally, their establishments will be demolished starting next week. - THE FREEMAN