BJMP not exempt from zoning

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Building Official (OBO) cannot exempt the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from the policy on parking spaces.

BJMP 7 Director Norvel Mingoa sought the exemption for the new BJMP building along M. Veloso Street, Barangay Guadalupe, but OBO chief Josefa Ylanan said doing so would be against the existing zoning ordinance.

The city's zoning ordinance requires a "nose in, nose out" parking for vehicles. This means vehicles should be able to get in and out of the parking area in one simple maneuver without having to disrupting traffic.

"OBO cannot grant the exemption, it's in the ordinance," Ylanan said.

While they are complying all the requirements for the building permits for the construction of their building, BJMP Regional Director Norvel Mingoa asked that they will be exempted from the required nose out exit parking spaces.

Mingoa earlier sent a letter to Mayor Michael Rama, saying their vehicles can only do exit backing.

Architect Fernando Opiniano of the Land Use and Zoning Division required BJMP to provide seven parking spaces with nose out exit or vehicle front first. Opiniano had suggested that BJMP seek an exemption from the ordinance.

Mingoa said they only have one regional office vehicle and their office only caters to personnel of BJMP-manned jails who occasionally visit the regional office to submit reports. (FREEMAN)