Biz owners warned: Comply with zoning rules or close

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Businesses within residential zones must comply with requirements set by the city’s zoning ordinance, so they can legally operate, the
    City Planning and Development Office warned in recent forum with the city council.
    The discussion was prompted by a complaint of a resident of Barangay Pinger who was issued a notice of violation for operating a milk tea and pizza store without business permit.
    As per the inspection of the CPDO, the milk tea and pizza store is located in a low density residential zone or R-1.
    According to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City of Baguio (Ordinance 51-2001), home occupation for the practice of one’s profession or for engaging in an in-house business is allowed in areas classified as R-1 but with conditions.     One of the conditions for a Micro, small and medium enterprise is that it shall not occupy more than 30% of the floor area of a dwelling unit and that there shall be no change or alteration in the outside appearance of the dwelling unit.
    The said store, however, is not within a dwelling unit but is located instead on the second floor of the property owner’s parking space.
    The CPDO’s findings also indicated that the store is within the area that is a subject of a petition for segregation from the Buyog Watershed.
    The store owner was ordered to suspend its business operation and was given five days to process his business permit.
CPDO representative James Cosep said the store owner had been advised to relocate his business.
    Cosep also recalled that one of the conditions for the proposed segregation of the area from the Buyog Watershed as agreed upon by the city government, the Baguio Water District, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the United Pinger Homeowners’ Association in 2016 is that the residents must maintain their structures only for residential purposes.
    Geraldine Angulo, Permits and Licensing Division representative, said the issuance of business permits depends on the approval of all concerned offices.
    Aside from the locational zoning clearance issued by the CPDO, the applicant must also obtain a barangay clearance from the concerned barangay, health clearance from the City Health Services Office, building clearance from the City Buildings and Architecture Office, sewerage and parks clearance from the City Environment and Parks Management Office, and fire safety clearance from the Baguio Fire Station for a fire safety clearance.
    Angulo said 132 businesses in Pinget Barangay were issued business permits while 59 were given notices of violation.
Meanwhile, Councilor Benny Bomogao urged the CPDO to be “less restrictive” and to suggest amendment of the local laws if possible in favor of the businesses in the city.
    “We should be looking forward to making our city business-friendly. Let us relax our rules. Help us amend our ordinances so that our city will thrive,” Bomogao said.