Plan for electronic fees for building permits gets nod

CEBU - Electronics engineers and the advertising and communication sectors are supporting the proposed legislation prescribing electronic fees in the application of building permits.

In a public hearing held earlier this week on councilor Roberto Cabarrubias’ proposed ordinance prescribing electronic fees as well as appointment of electronics and communications engineers as part of the application of building permits, none among the invited speakers objected.

Susana Tan, governor of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines Inc. Visayas Chapter, said that for a long period of time, it has been observed that the design, construction and installation of electronic facilities have not been regulated under the supervision of an Electronics and Communications Engineer.

Tan said this leads to spaghetti-like bundling of cable systems and improper placement of telecommunication lines, which are mostly substandard.

Tan, cited as an example, the Ozone Disco tragedy in the mid 90’s, which was due to faulty installation of electronic communication equipments.

“In fact, indiscriminate installations of wireless systems in buildings can cause interference to vital communications facilities and other devices,” Tan said.

She also said that there is already an existing law, the Electronics Engineering Law of 2004 and a Memorandum Circular of the National Building Code Development Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways that states that the services of a professional ECE is a requirement in the processing of building and ancillary permits.

Mary Ann Alcordo-Solomon, of the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, also supported the proposed legislation but wished to make further clarification on the distinction of electronic devices and installations be it in billboards, establishments or communication facilities and stations and clarification whether the mentioned rates are one-time or annual fees.

Her query is to be resolved in the final deliberation within the committee before the proposal is sent back to the city council.

Cabarrubias’ proposed ordinance aims to collect P50 for every electronic unit and P1,000 for every antenna of a communication establishment. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)