City: No business permit for easement violators

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) has joined the call for business establishments to cooperate in the clearing of the three-meter easement or face the consequences.

BPLO assistant head, lawyer Jared Limquiaco, during their department’s teleradyo program “Permit Us to Explain” via the city’s Sugbuanon channel, said their office continues to coordinate with Task Force-Gubat sa Baha concerning businesses that were found to have encroached the three-meter easement in the city’s rivers and waterways.

BPLO is yet to determine the number of business establishments that have violations concerning the three-meter easement as Task Force Gubat sa Baha has yet to submit the list to their office.

The city government talks to business establishments found to be encroaching on a waterway with the hope of voluntarily demolishing illegal structures.

“As much as possible, makig-estorya ta aning mga businesses nga ni-encroach kung makaya nila nga silay motangtang sa ilang mga structures without the city’s involvement,” said Limquiaco.

There are already some establishments that responded to the city government’s call to voluntarily demolish the structures that encroached on the three-meter easement, but those who ignore it will be flagged.

Limquiaco also urged TF-Gubat sa Baha to provide them with a list of establishments that have refused their request to demolish their structures already for proper action.

Once the business is flagged by BPLO, they won’t be able to renew their business permit and other licenses, Limquiaco said.

A revocation of permit may also be done for establishment owners whose permits have not yet expired should they refuse to cooperate.

“If maabot na gyud nga point, which I hope it won’t. Pero moabot na gane nga point, ma-revoke gyud ang permit. If ma-revoke ang permit, the establishment could face closure,” Limquiaco added.

Limquiaco told business owners to respect the law including the concern on the easement of waterways while also telling them that the city government is willing to assist them if they need manpower.

“Kung galisod man gane mo, you can always talk to our city officials. Naa may experts ang atong task force especially gikan sa OBO ug sa Engineering that can assist ninyo,” Limquiaco said. (CEBU NEWS)