Dads want CJH building permits issued by city govt

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city is questioning the practice of the John Hay Management Corp. in securing building permits from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority instead of the city government as stipulated in city council resolution No. 362-94 which mandates Bases Conversion Development Authority to secure building and other permits from city building officials for the constructions of vertical structures within the John Hay Sepcial Economic Zone.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the issue needs to be cleared with PEZA as the practice came about when a previous city administration summarily refused to grant applications for building permit within the zone prompting the John Hay management to seek relief with PEZA.

The city government will thresh out with the PEZA the issue on building permit requirement on new constructions within the JHSEZ.

Domogan set a meeting with PEZA department manager for operations officer-in-charge Modesto Agyao on Monday at the mayor’s office which will also be attended by city building and architecture officer Oscar Flores to clarify the and city treasurer Thelma Manaois.

The city council recently approved Resolution No. 167 series of 2010 prompting Flores to assert his authority to enforce the building permit requirement on new constructions within the JHSEZ.

The body adopted the opinion of acting city legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes that JHMC’s practice of securing building permit from PEZA violates Resolution No. 362-94.

Rabanes said PEZA does not have legal basis to be issuing building permits on constructions within the JHSEZ as it does not govern it.

“The governing body of JHSEZ is the BCDA in consultation and coordination with the City Government of Baguio. The only authority of PEZA over the JHSEZ is merely for the purpose of administering the tax and duty incentives as provided for under Republic Act No. 7916,” he said.

“The CBAO should not allow PEZA to usurp the power to enforce the provisions of Presidential Decree 1096 and other related laws on constructions within the JHSEZ. Refusal of any individual or entity within the JHSEZ to comply with the directives of the CBAO pertaining to constructions within the JHSEZ should be sanctioned pursuant to the provisions of PD 1096 and allied laws rules and regulations on the matter,” Rabanes said.