Issuance of business permits in Libis, Eastwood suspended

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered yesterday a moratorium on the issuance of business permits for new business establishments in Eastwood City and the Libis area for violation of the city’s revenue code and complaints of noise pollution from neighboring communities.

Belmonte said a recent inspection also revealed that many of the nightspots in the area were unable to secure business permits prior to the start of their operations.

In a memorandum, the mayor directed Task Force Eastwood head and concurrent business permits and licensing office (BPLO) chief Pacifico Maghacot Jr. to formulate clear cut policies that would encourage owners of these establishments to correct their deficiencies and effectively comply with the city’s laws and regulations prior to the start of their operations.

"There is a need for a thorough study of the situation to evolve more relevant and balanced policies," Belmonte said.

Covered by the mayor’s moratorium are nightclubs, karaoke bars, massage parlors, bars, cocktail lounges and similar establishments.

The mayor’s office has been receiving complaints from residents, particularly Acropolis Village, about the noise generated by the nightspots even after midnight.

Belmonte directed Maghacot to field license inspectors in the two area on a regular basis to ensure strict compliance to his directive.

The mayor had earlier created a composite team, through a memorandum order, which include private individuals, to check on the establishments within the Eastwood City and Libis for any possible violation of existing laws and city ordinance.

The mayor has given the team, headed by Maghacot and representatives from the Treasury Office, fire department, department of engineering and the environmental protection and waste management department, one month to check on all the establishments within the Eastwood City.

Meanwhile, Central Police District City Hall Detachment commander Superintendent Elmo San Diego said that investigations conducted reveal that of the several establishments closed for not having business permits, only one violated the provision for fire safety.

Belmonte has directed San Diego to check the records of both the BPLO and the Quezon City Fire Department on the personnel who conducted inspections in the area for further verification.