Taguig shuts down 13 illegal businesses

A team from Taguig City’s Urban Renewal Office, together with more than 70 police officers, demolished 13 commercial establishments illegally operating in the city.

Jeffe Minglana, chief of the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office, said they have long notified the establishments of the scheduled demolition along C-5 Road in Barangay Ususan. The businesses that were illegally put up include a number of videoke bars, an auto repair shop, an aluminum and glass shop, a barbershop, a hardware outlet and a bakery.

He added that a dialogue was even conducted last year between the erring firms and the city government.

“The warning was issued more than a year ago. They would have to vacate the area since a road widening project of the city government, in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Highways, will soon be undertaken there. The road project to be recognized as Levi Mariano Avenue, will connect the C-5 Road and the road dike,” Minglana said.

He said establishment owners would have to find an alternative site where they can put up their businesses.

The two-day demolition started Wednesday and ended around 12 noon yesterday. Minglana said there was no resistance from building owners and employees even as the 24-man team from the Urban Renewal Office and 76 policemen started tearing down the structures.     

“It was unfortunate that these firms have continued operating without permits for more than three years already. They have not been paying taxes they owe the city government,” Minglana said.     – Rhodina Villanueva