OBO collection tops last year’s output

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) has broken its total collection in 2022, after collecting more than P109 million at the end of September of this year.

Last year, OBO collected a little over P100 million for the entire year already.

It paved the way for OBO chief, Architect Florante Catalan, to increase its target collection to P150 million, although Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama had challenged OBO to double it.

With three months left, Catalan still hopes to be able to achieve their target for 2023.

“Dili man dautan ug mag-aim ug dako. We will still aim, assume, expect, dream na makuha nato ng atong target,” said Catalan to The FREEMAN yesterday.

In early August, OBO has reported to have collected over P92 million and added over P17 million more in its latest accomplishment report.

The ease of business around OBO has contributed to the increase in collection this year.

The OBO has established a “one-stop shop” for construction permits, as well as online services.

Catalan is also happy to report to Rama that their office can now accommodate clients within 30 minutes or less, as long as all requirements have been complied with ahead of its application for a permit.

But apart from the collection, OBO is also expected to work double time in looking into illegal structures and in the recovery of the three-meter easement and setbacks, among others. — (FREEMAN)