OBO collects P72 million in less than 6 months

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Building Official (OBO) has collected P72 million in revenues in less than six months as reported by its head, Archt. Florante Catalan.

In the documents shared by the city’s Public Information Office yesterday, OBO was able to collect an accumulated income of P72,252,633.61 from fees and permits from January to June 08, 2023.

Aside from that, OBO also reported that in the same duration of time, they were able to inspect and issue notices to 5,935 buildings, structures, and establishments.

Out of the 27 departments and offices in Cebu City, OBO is the first office to implement the online processing of all OBO Permit Services and Payments.

Catalan said, now it takes less than an hour of processing and issuance of permits and says services are now “fast and efficient” with more permit applications, and more issuance of approved permits, thus, increase in revenue to support the programs and social services of the local government.

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlungsod also commended them for its commitment to process building permits within one hour using digital technology (OBO-IS).

It has also strictly implemented the no gift policy, Catalan said.

Its efforts also got them first place in the E-Gov Award (Government To Business) G2B Category 2012 and silver in the E-Gov Award (Government To Business) G2B Category 2021.

Aside from that, it has also launched the implementation for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certification.

The same accomplishment report also shows that there are no more pending applications from January to May of this year for different services including the mechanical, building, occupancy, electrical, demolition, excavation, scaffoldings, streamers, annual and sidewalk enclosures permit as well as the certificate of use, business permit, fencing, electronics, and billboard permits.

There had also been a total of 272 notices served on illegal construction, 269 notices of violation, and 15 notices of suspension served.

OBO also inspected a total of 271 buildings and structures that are 30 years old and above to assess their structural integrity. Out of those inspected, 153 had responded and 45 already submitted structural certificates.

For complaints, they also received 106 of them with 23 endorsed to the barangay and City Legal Office, seven settled, and four unlocated while 68 had been replied as five others had been endorsed to other departments for appropriate action. — (FREEMAN)