Firms ordered closed but keep operations to face fines

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Council approved yesterday an ordinance prohibiting the unwarranted and forcible opening  of business and other related establishments which are padlocked after having been subject for a permanent/temporary closure by the city government.

The ordinance, authored by City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, came after the city government noticed that some business establishments meted with a permanent or temporary closure were able to operate back with their businesses even if they continue to violate and fail to comply with the city's ordinances.

Lumapas said he was compelled to come up with such ordinance after receiving reports from both the city legal and treasurer's offices regarding the establishments' illegal operations.

Most of the business establishments, it was learned, were padlocked by the city government because of their failure to secure business permits.

Under the said ordinance, establishments subject for closure order, shall be at all times be padlocked.

It prohibits any person to forcibly open or defy the implementation of the closure order or they will be penalized with an administrative fine of P5,000.

In cases where the offender is an alien, he shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed herein, be deported after the service of full sentence and payment of fine without further deportation proceedings.

 "The legal features of this ordinance would curb illegal or 'colorum' operations of businesses that become possible when owners would evade the payment of proper taxes or some others engage themselves in such other fraudulent schemes," the ordinance explained. — (FREEMAN)