Parallel investigations by the Office of the Building Official and the City Legal Office will be held to determine the violations of the owner of the newly constructed resort in the coastline of Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, Councilor Caesar Distrito said yesterday.
The probes will also be conducted with the Community Environment and Natural Resources and the Environmental Management Board. Distrito said “We are not anti-business but are only after compliance with our laws. If we allow anybody to construct their business on government land and just pay penalties later, this is somehow chaotic.” Yesterday OBO head Isidro Sun Jr. conducted an ocular inspection in the resort, but so far his office has not yet served a notice of violation against Rey Francis Cabuga of Mushroom Realty Development Corp., owner of the resort. The resort was constructed without permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Barangay Punta-Taytay and the City Government of Bacolod. The project has also encroached on the foreshore area by 30 meters, Distrito said. Councilor El Cid Familiaran said the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod will discuss the actions to be taken against Cabuga. In an interview over DYRL yesterday, Familiaran noted that this is the third time that Cabuga, a businessman from Davao, has violated existing national and local laws, and would rather pay fines and penalties of whatever amount, as long as he could start construction of his business, without getting the needed permits from the concerned agencies. He said the resort owners seem to act as if they are above the law and are disrespecting government agencies and office heads by not getting the required permits before starting construction works. Cabuga also has a hotel at 6 th -Lacson streets which apparently occupies the gutter or the sidewalk. He also constructed the Metro Safari resort in Barangay Alangilan even if the conversion of the land has not been completed, and also with no building permit or even a permit from the barangay, he said. The third one is the resort in Barangay Punta-Taytay where Cabuga constructed a 2-storey hotel, two swimming pools, pavilion, huts, restaurants, among others, and failed to apply for a foreshore lease agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and also before securing the necessary permit the OBO, he added. During the hearing conducted by the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government chaired by Distrito, Jenamine Daclizon of Mushroom Realty Development Corporation, said that the resort is almost finished. Daclizon said they believe that they have not encroached on the foreshore area for the construction of their two swimming pools, and that these were constructed on titled properties. However, Freddie Bataanon, chief of the Land Management Services of DENR-CENRO Bacolod said that the company has encroached on the foreshore area by 30 meters and need a foreshore lease agreement. Familiaran said they have to comply first with the law because non-compliance with these permits is ground for the non-issuance of the occupancy permit and the environmental compliance certificate. He said the City Legal Office, OBO and the DENR will inspect the area again soon. Cesar Beloria, head of the CLO Composite Enforcement Team said they are waiting for OBO to issue a notice of violation and order of work stoppage. Meanwhile, Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez said he is supportive of the tourism efforts of Cabuga. What he is doing is a welcome move provided he complies with all the requirements of the government. As chairman of the SP Committee on Tourism, Lopez “We need new tourist destinations in Bacolod City.” On the issue that Cabuga violated the Building Code for failure to secure a building permit, Lopez said this all depends on the Mayor if he will enforce the law. OBO personnel said Cabuga has secured a building permit only for the hotel.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
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THE City Council of Bacolod has approved on final reading the ordinance which authorizes the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public elementary and high schools in the city.
Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who authored the measure, said the employment of a CCTV/Video Surveillance System(VSS) cameras by any entity, particularly by the Local Government Unit(LGU) purposely to record factual evidence of crime has been proven to be an effective instrument to deter any act of lawlessness. The City Council has passed City Ordinance No. 595, series of 2012, called the “Bacolod City Eye in the Sky Comprehensive Closed-Circuit Television(CCTV) Ordinance” and City Ordinance No. 600, series of 2012 or “An Ordinance Requiring all Banks and other Financial Institutions as well as Certain Business Establishments within the City of Bacolod to Install CCTV within their Premises, Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof, and for Other Purposes.” The local laws do not include schools where crimes have also been committed, thereby necessitating the installation of CCTV/VSS cameras in their campuses or premises, Familiaran said. (CNC) Sun.Star Bacolod COUNCILORS of Bacolod City will discuss on the appropriate action they will take against Rey Francis Cabuga of Mushroom Realty Development Corporation, which owns the newly-constructed resort at Barangay Punta Taytay.
During the hearing of the City Council committee on laws and ordinances, the councilors found out that the resort was already complete, despite the absence of the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Barangay Council, and the City Government of Bacolod. Councilor El Cid Familiaran said over DYRL that this is the third time that Cabuga violated the national and local laws in the city. He would rather pay fines and penalties of whatever amount as long as they start the construction without the benefit of getting the needed permits from concerned national and local government agencies, Familiaran said. Cabuga also owns the Metro Inn hotel on 6th Street, which apparently occupies the gutter or the sidewalk, and the Metro Safari resort in Barangay Alangilan, which was being constructed without a building permit and without permission from the Barangay Council. Cabuga constructed a two-storey hotel with two swimming pools, pavilion, huts, restaurants, among others in Barangay Punta Taytay, but failed to apply for a foreshore lease agreement with the DENR and for a building permit from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). During the committee hearing, Jenamine Daclizon of Mushroom Realty Development Corporation said the resort is almost finished, and said they have not encroached the foreshore area. However, Engr. Freddie Bataanon, chief of the Land Management Services of DENR-CENRO Bacolod, said the company has encroached the foreshore area by 30 meters. Familiaran said this company can help attract tourists for the city but they need to comply with the law first. Non-compliance of the said permits is a ground for the non-issuance of the occupancy permit and the Environmental Compliance Certificate, he noted. The councilor said that since the owners have insisted that they have not encroached the foreshore area, they are given the benefit of the doubt. The City Legal Office, OBO and the DENR will inspect the area again soon, he added. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod With City Mayor Monico Puentevella supporting the efforts of his sons to make Bacolod one of the country’s top destinations this summer, Executive Assistant Rocky Puentevella and neophyte Councilor Kalaw Puentevella unveiled to the media, alongside the different event organizers of the city, the activities of the "One Summer Smile 2014" program.
Councilor Kalaw, also joined by fellow Sangguniang Panlungsod members Wilson Gamboa, Jr., El Cid Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor and Ana Marie Palermo, detailed in a press conference that One Summer Smile aims to promote Bacolod as an alternative destination for the summer through its various events and activities. This too, Puentevella added, will disclose what the city could offer to both local and foreign tourists who decide to spend the summer here. "We want people to be aware that Bacolod has more to offer aside from our delicious food and hospitality," Kalaw said as he likewise approved that the event would also boost the city’s economy when the influx of tourists arrive for the summer. Meanwhile, Councilor Ann Marie Palermo said this will also entice Bacolodnons to stay in the city for the summer rather than go out of town or the country to spend their vacation. After commending Mayor Puentevella for his unwavering support to promote the city, Councilor Sonia Verdeflor also echoed Councilor Kalaw’s message that the city still has a lot to offer to tourists. "We now have a celebration that all sectors are recognized," Councilor Verdeflor said while mentioning that the lineup of events is a come on, particularly to the younger generation. "The spotlight is with Rocky, Kalaw and the councilors," expressed Mayor Puentevella, who gave credits to the organizers, as well as to SP members supporting the project. The One Summer Smile festivities started last April 6 with the opening of the 8th Monico Cup Under 21 Inter Barangay Basketball Tournament. It will run through May with a slew of activities including drag races, parties, holy week events, food fair, fashion show, sporting spectacles and exhibits.* Negros Daily Bulletin The Office of the Building Official is expected to issue a notice of violation to businessman Rey Francis Cabuga involving the construction of a new resort in Brgy. Punta-Taytay, Bacolod City, that has violated laws of various government agencies.
Cabuga is also the owner of Metro Safari and Metro Inn that had also been issued notices of violations by the OBO. Former Punta-Taytay Barangay Captain and now head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Rufino Alcala, together with Kagawad Glen Mark Pacheo and former Kagawad Angela Daguno, have filed a complaint against Cabuga's project that they said deprived fisherfolk and oyster growers access to the shoreline in Punta-Taytay. The violations were discovered at the committee hearing conducted by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, yesterday that was attended by officials and representatives of various government agencies, as well as, Councilors Ana Marie Palermo and El Cid Familiaran. Cabuga was represented by Catherine Cabuga and Janamine Daclizon of Mushroom Realty Development Corp. Actual inspection and investigation by the City Legal Office led by Cesar Beloria and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, showed that the resort owner has already encroached on the foreshore area by 30 meters, despite the lack of a DENR approved foreshore lease agreement. Cabuga has no environment compliance certificate and no permit from the OBO for the swimming pool he has constructed in the area. What the Environmental Management Bureau has issued was a only a Certificate of Non Coverage (CNC) for the construction of a restaurant. Vicente Lospañes, EMB Bacolod officer-in-charge, said if they are constructing or developing a resort, they need is an ECC. They have not secured an ECC for the reclamation that they have made in the area, Distrito added. OBO head Isidro Sun said that they will issue a notice of violation with a corresponding order of work stoppage to the property owner as soon as possible. During the hearing, Distrito told the representative of Cabuga to stop flaunting their money, and said he felt offended by their attitude. “I feel offended that you're saying that you are paying this and that,” he said. He asked them to comply with the requirements because the government is willing to assist them. Familiaran said “We are for tourism because this will generate tourism and employment, but just follow the law We have national laws that have to be followed.” Daclizon said they have not violated the law because they have asked somebody from Punta-Taytay to facilitate all the permits in their behalf but they have been misled by that person. She said they have all the documents to show that they have not encroached on the foreshore area but there was only a typographical error in the lot number. The DENR also used a different reference point showing that there are only two involved properties, she said. She also said they have bought three properties and are sure that they have not encroached on the foreshore area. All the fishermen who complained were already paid either P100,000, P50,000 or P57,000, she claimed. The officials of various agencies explained to the Cabuga representatives that, based on the inspection and survey they made in the area, their project has already consumed 30 meters of the foreshore area. Beloria also took pictures at the site and the concrete rip-rap which showed that the swimming pool has clearly occupied the foreshore area. Distrito said he will make the committee report and submit it to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for appropriate action.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star The Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government found the business venture of Rey Francis Cabuga in Brgy. Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, to have violated existing laws of various government agencies.
This surfaced yesterday during the hearing conducted by the committee chaired by Councilor Caesar Distrito. The hearing was conducted following a complaint filed by former Punta Taytay barangay captain and now head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Rufino Alcala, Punta Taytay Kagawad Glen Mark Pacheo and former Kagawad Angela Daguno. Complainants claimed Cabuga did not allow a portion of his property to be used as an access road for the fisherfolk in the village, whose livelihood is dependent on the sea. Present during the hearing were officials and representatives of various government agencies related to foreshore lease agreement, building permits and other regulatory agencies, and councilors Ana Marie Palermo and El Cid Familiaran. Cabuga was represented by Catherine Cabuga and Janamine Daclizon of the Mushroom Realty Development Corp. As per actual inspection and investigation by the City Legal Office led by lawyer Cesar Beloria and by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it was found out that the owner has encroached on the foreshore area by 30 meters, despite the lack of a DENR-approved foreshore lease agreement. Beloria presented pictures he took at the site and the concrete rip-rap and the swimming pool which clearly occupied the foreshore area. They have no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and permit from the Office of the Building official (OBO) for the swimming pool Cabuga had caused to be constructed in the area, the investigation showed. What the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has issued was a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC), which is for the construction of a restaurant, it was also found out. If they are constructing or developing a resort, they don’t need a CNC but an ECC, said Vicente Lospañes, officer-in-charge, EMB Bacolod. They have not secured an ECC for the reclamation they have made in the area, Distrito disclosed. OBO head Isidro Sun said they will be issuing a notice of violation with a corresponding order of work stoppage to the property owner, as soon as possible. Distrito, meanwhile, said he was offended by the attitude showed by the representatives of Cabuga, describing it as apparently flaunting their riches, as if they are licensed to violate the existing laws because of their financial capability to pay the fine or any penalty. He warned Daclizon to stop flaunting their money and asked her to follow the law. “All they need to do is comply with the law. This is not in aid of who is much richer. This is a city of laws. Rich or poor should abide (by) the law,” Distrito told the Cabuga representatives. Distrito said he will come up with a committee report and submit it to the City Council for appropriate action./WDJ By Ranie S. Azue Watchmen Daily Journal The Bacolod City government has lined-up tourism activities for April and May called “One Summer Smile” to entice local and national tourists to visit the city to help boost its economy.
Councilor Claudio Puentevella said they are trying to create something new to help Bacolod become one of the top tourist destinations for summer this year, not only in the Visayas but in the whole Philippines. Mayor Monico Puentevella, who is supporting the efforts of his son, said the activity will disclose what the city could offer to both local and national tourists who decide to spend summer in Bacolod City. Councilor Puentevella, also joined by Councilors Wilson Gamboa Jr., El Cid Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor and Ana Marie Palermo, said at a press conference yesterday that they want people to be aware that Bacolod has more to offer aside from its delicious food and hospitality. Familiaran said the Sangguniang Panlungsod is in full support of the two-month summer activity, which is the first and a one of a kind in Bacolod. The “One Summer Smile” festivities started April 6 with the opening of the 8th Monico Cup Under 21 Inter Barangay Basketball Tournament and will run through May with a slew of activities including drag races, parties, holy week events, a food fair, fashion show, sporting spectacles and exhibits. Michael Espino, one of the organizers of the “!st Bacolod Speed Fest,” said the drag race will be held from April 11 to 13 at the old Bacolod airport with racers from Manila, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo joining the event. He said the expect about 100 cars to run in this event. They will also hold a motocross invitational race on April 25 to 27 at BREDCO. Nep Grandea of SM Bacolod said the 29th Philippine Dog Agility will be also held at SM South Wing on Saturday.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star A proposed ordinance pushing for voluntary blood donation, instead of penalties or fines for violators of city traffic laws, was authored by Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran.
Familiaran said worldwide, the scarcity of blood has been noticed not just by foreign countries or by their health providers, but likewise by the International Red Cross. According to the councilor, such serious concern has been identified when dengue illness hit the country, and one of the places included was the city of Bacolod. This resulted in the shortage of blood in hospitals that are based in the city, whereby the cost of blood went up inaccessibly for a great number of people which in turn contributed to the cause of death of many poor patients, particularly the children, the councilor said. Familiaran added that the shortage of blood has been validated when no less than Philippine National Red Cross Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang stated that last 2013, blood collection fell short of what was needed. This, quoted the local legislator, is considering that out of 950,000 units of blood which the country needs, PNRC only collected 440,000 units of blood, representing just 49.6 percent of the nation’s badly needed blood. He cited the global theme, “More Blood, More Life!” for the “World Blood Day” celebration last June 14, 2013 which was also adopted by the Department of Health when it observed the National Voluntary Blood Donation Month last July 2013. Familiaran explained that while there are Red Cross and other blood banks at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and in private hospitals, blood remains to be a major concern of the city. He said that to address this major perennial health problem, measures that would generate more blood are most needed. Familiaran also pointed out further that Republic Act No. 7719, “An Act Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation, Providing for an Adequate Supply of Safe Blood, Regulating Blood Banks, and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof,” has been passed by Congress to institutionalize and ensure an adequate supply of blood. And among the measures that are considered to generate additional blood for patients is to recognize the voluntary donation of blood by traffic violators in lieu of the mandated fine./WDJ By Ranie S. Azue Watchmen Daily Journal A "bloody" penalty awaits motorists who violate traffic rules in Bacolod City – after the city council approved an ordinance letting violators donate blood instead of paying a fine. The ordinance was approved during the city council's meeting on Tuesday, Bacolod-based news site Visayan Daily Star reported Wednesday. Motorists can "volunteer" to donate blood instead of paying the usual fines, the report said. In the ordinance authored by councilor El Cid Familiaran, the city council cited data from the Philippine Red Cross indicating a "shortage" of blood in 2013. Quoting PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, it said that while the country needs 950,000 units of blood, PRC was able to collect only 440,000. The report, however, did not immediately say when the ordinance will be enforced. -- LBG, GMA News Joel Locsin An ordinance approving the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in all public elementary and high schools in Bacolod City, was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on third and final reading yesterday.
The ordinance was authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, and co-authored by Councilors Archie Baribar, Noli Villarosa, and Alex Paglumotan. T he employment of CCTV/ Video Surveillance System(VSS) cameras by any entity, particularly by the local government unit purposely to record factual evidence of crime has been proven to be an effective instrument to deter any act of lawlessness, the ordinance said. T he Sanguniang passed City Ordinance No. 595, series of 2012, called the “ Bacolod City Eye in the Sky Comprehensive Closed-Circuit Television Ordinance” and City Ordinance No. 600, series of 2012, or “ An Ordinance Requiring all Banks and other Financial Institutions as well as Certain Business Establishments within the City of Bacolod to Install Closed-Circuit Television(CCTV) within their premises,” it said. The ordinance said these local laws, however, do not include schools where recently crimes have been committed against the victims by lawless elements, thereby necessitating the installation of CCTV/ VSS cameras in their campuses or premises. Violation of the provisions of the ordinance, particularly sections 5 and 7, will render violators a penalty of P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offence, and P5,000 for the third offense and an imprisonment or penalty of six months to one year or both fine and penalty at the discretion of the Court. The SP also approved an ordinance making voluntary blood donation as a settlement instead of fine in violation of traffic regulations. The ordinance authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, said scarcity of blood has been noticed, not just by foreign countries or their health providers, but by the International Red Cross. Nationally, such serious concern was identified when dengue illness hit the country, particularly Bacolod which resulted in the shortage of blood in the hospitals in the city, whereby increasing its cost that contributed to the cause of death of many poor patients, particularly the children, it said. The ordinance also said PNRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang stated that last 2013 there was shortage of blood, considering that out of the 950,000 units of blood needed by the country, PNRC was only able to collect 440,000 units of blood. This only representing 49.6 percent of the nation's badly needed blood. And, because of this situation, the global theme: “More Blood, More Life!” for ‘World Blood Day' last June 14, 2013 was adopted by the Department of Health when it observed the National Voluntary Blood Donation Month last July 2013, it said. Republic Act No. 7719, “An Act Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation, Providing for an Adequate Supply of Safe Blood, Regulating Blood Banks, and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof,” was passed by Congress to institutionalize and ensure an adequate supply of blood. Among the measures considered to generate additional blood for patients is to recognize the voluntary donation of blood by traffic violators in lieu of the mandated fine, it added.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star |
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