Atienza hits resto closure

An irate Manila Mayor Lito Atienza warned officials of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and other national government agencies yesterday to stop the indiscriminate closing down of establishments in the city or face arrest and prosecution.

Atienza issued the warning after a certain Louie Balbago, who claimed to be a presidential appointee – assistant general manager and chief of the Lake Watch police under the LLDA, closed down the Savory Restaurant, near Jones Bridge in Binondo the other day.

"We must not allow such illegal activities," the Manila mayor said as he explained that Balbago’s act sends a bad signal to the business community in the country’s capital.

Based on reports, Balbago, a former barangay chairman in Sampaloc, stormed the restaurant and served a closure order purportedly on violation of the law on waste water treatment systems.

Under the Local Government Code, the mayor pointed out, local government units (LGUs) have autonomy from national government agencies.

"As such, any activity to be done should be coordinated with local officials," Atienza said. "We don’t want the problem to be blown out of proportion. Any program to be implemented in the city should be referred to the city government."

The mayor also ordered the City Hall’s Building Permit Division and Sanitary Unit to look into Savory’s permit and maintenance and "if no violation is found, allow the restaurant to open and serve the public again."