Osmeña retains occupancy permit of Mango Square

After the 10-day grace period lapsed yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña decided to retain the occupancy permit of Mango Square complex.

The mayor said he was satisfied with the way the management of the complex has rectified matters, particularly its violations to city laws such as renting its parking lot spaces to various business outlets.

Osmeña said he understood also the constraints of the legal action that the management is currently facing after several of its tenants have brought the matter to court.

Mango Square should remove however all the stalls that rented spaces at the parking lot outside its establishment, Osmeña said yesterday.

As of press time yesterday, only eight stalls remained standing because of the temporary restraining order, which the court issued last Friday.

The owners of these stalls filed a P2 million civil case against Mango Square management for breach of lease contract when their business operations were forced to stop after it cut off electricity and water supply, and barricaded the area to prevent customers.

The other tenants reportedly conceded to a compromise and were able to get back the advance rent payments they paid the management.

Despite Osmeña’s retention of Mango Square’s permit, the latter’s tenants occupying the parking lot spaces still have contracts with the management of the complex, which varied in terms, with the shortest yet to expire next year.

Business in these stalls was brisk and the influx of customers has turned the place into a veritable entertainment zone complete with a smorgasbord of foods, music, and drinks. –Joeberth M. Ocao and Fred P. Languido