Developer may be penalized for defying suspension order

Another developer in Talisay City may be penalized for continuing with its development project despite the temporary suspension order issued by the city.

A report of the City Planning and Development Coordinator said that based on its inspection, Crown Asia has "continued with their activities" of its Villa Ferenzie in barangay Linao.

The inspection was conducted by CPDC head Christine Homez and her staff, representatives from the City Engineer's Office and Linao barangay officials to find out if Crown Asia has complied with the mitigating measures imposed by the city when it issued the suspension order against the project.

However, the inspectors found out that the developer continued with its road leveling, concreting, building construction, and even "earthmoving" activities for its estate situated in the upland portion of the barangay.

After previous inspection, the city ordered for a temporary halt to the site's development activities following mudflows and flash flooding.

Because of this, Homez recommended that the city "must define clearly the restrictions of the issuance of temporary suspension order for the development permit."

The city, Homez said, must also "conduct a constant or periodic monitoring of the development project," adding that the city's police power must be exercised against those erring developers.

Jojo Concio, Villa Ferenzie project engineer, said that they were only finishing some constructions on the lower part of the subdivision and that there is still an ongoing negotiation between them and the city government on the project.

Concio said that when the inspection team came to the site, he even showed to them their activity and it seemed that there was nothing wrong about the construction. - Liv G. Campo