Baguio stops many building constructions for violations

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY – The city government stopped ongoing construction of buildings here, latest of which were in Pinsao Proper and Quirino Hill. 
    Six ongoing structural constructions in Binen 2, Purok 3 Barangay Pinsao Proper were ordered to stop with notices of violation to the National Building Code.
    Architect Homer Soriano of the City Buildings and Architecture Office said these were inspected May 8 followed by issuance of notices of violation on May 15 after verification of ownership.
    The six residential structures are all located in a titled lot with approximately 657 square meters property under a single person. Ongoing constructions are individually owned.
    Two of the residential structures commenced work April this year and are both 20 percent complete – a 1-storey building with provision of additional floors and a 2-storey with provision of additional floors.
    The other four structures commenced 2018 to present, three of which are 70 percent complete while the other is at 50 percent complete. The buildings range from 1-storey with provision of additional floors to three floors with basements.
    During the inspection, members of the Baguio Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures noted lack of safety measures installed such as safety nets and catch canopies for the protection of owners, workers and adjoining properties.
    Owners and workers were immediately directed to cease and desist from further construction activities and secure building permits prior to resumption of works.
    Two of the structures were directed to fast track the construction of retaining walls.
    After the issuance of notice of violation, the CBAO will schedule the first conference and further monitor the activities in compliance with existing laws. Notices of violation were issued to owners of five ongoing building constructions in West Quirino Hill for lack of building permit and for developing within the Buyog watershed reservation.
    The five new building constructions were sighted during a regular walkthrough by police personnel deputized by Mayor Benjamin Magalong as environmental guards to ensure remaining watersheds in the city are not encroached.
    Photos of the said structures were sent to the City Building and Architecture Office for verification of documents followed by an onsite inspection together with personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) – Camdas Police Station 2, and Barangay Captain Anselm M. Tao-ing on Wednesday, May 17.
    Per CBAO report, three of the five ongoing constructions are within Buyog watershed while the other two are situated in a titled property but without building permits.
CBAO immediately advised the owners to cease and desist from further construction activities followed by the issuance of notices of violation.
    For the three structures within Buyog watershed, these were forwarded to the Anti-Squatting and Anti-Illegal Structure Committee (ASAISC) under the City Legal Office for appropriate action.
    Meanwhile, the two structures within a titled property were told to comply with the building permit procedure prior to resuming construction activities.
    The city government is using an iron hand in the implementation of the National Building Code as a long-term solution to the unabated urban sprawl of buildings.
    For constructions on titled properties without building permits, the city government asks owners to stop and comply by securing building permits.
    Meanwhile, for constructions on tax declaration, the city government asks owners to stop and comply with the land titling of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
    Constructions within safeguarded lands are endorsed immediately for demolition. – JMPS