Mandaue to strictly enforce parking law, building code

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council is pushing for stricter requirement on parking spaces and the “nose-in, nose-out” policy of every building and structure to be erected in the city.

Through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, the council has requested the City Planning and Development Office and the Office of the Building Official to strictly implement City Ordinance No. 14-2016-1119.

The ordinance provides that parking regulations in all zones shall conform to the applicable minimum requirements of the existing laws, such as the National Building Code and the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Mandaue.

“It has been noted that some buildings and structures in the City are not conformant to the mandate of the zoning ordinance, most specifically the parking regulations,” Lumapas said.

He added that reports of alarming magnitude reveal cases of fraudulent manipulations, perpetrated by unscrupulous building owners, such as its failure to apply the minimum parking requirement, and instead fraudulently use and occupy the adjacent thoroughfares and sidewalks.

The stricter compliance is in line with the recent pronouncement of the president in his fourth State of the Nation Address and with the issuance of the Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121.

The DILG has directed all local government units to exercise powers essential to reclaiming public roads and alleys which are being used for private ends.

The local chief executives are directed to revoke permits, giving authority to private entities occupying or using the thoroughfares and sidewalks.

“It is now imperative for the City Government of Mandaue to look closely on this matter and for the CPDO and OBO to come up with concrete measures which will practically curb the proliferation of these activities and shall ensure the implementation of the requirement on parking spaces and the nose-in, nose-out policy as provided in the NBC and in the Zoning Ordinance,” read Lumapas’ resolution. (FREEMAN)