City holds closure order vs 2 establishments

THE Iloilo City Government is holding in abeyance for 45 days the closure order issued by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog against two business establishments operating without necessary permits.

However, the city is firm on the closure order if the establishments fail to comply with the necessary requirements within the specified period, Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III said.

Orley Ong, authorized representative of SML Habitat Corp., owner of West town Hotel and MO2 Resto Bar operating at the city’s fun center, Smallville complex along BS Aquino Avenue Mandurriao district, admitted the violations pertaining to business permit, fire code, and wastewater treatment.

The establishments were put up in 2004 with an estimated investment portfolio of more than P200 million.

Notices of violations sent on March 21, 2011 and April 13, 2012 showed that MO2 never complied with the requirements and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environment Management Bureau has elevated the case to its adjudication board for final decision.

Ong and his manager, Joecel Jover, assured the City Government that they will comply with the necessary requirement within 45 days that cover 15 days for the submission of fire safety plans to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and another 30 days for compliance of requirement for a business permit.

The abeyance started on July 10 and will end on August 24, after which, a composite team will inspect the sister establishments to confirm the compliance.

As per moratorium order issued by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, both establishments must comply with the requirements or face a fine of P25,000.

BFP city fire marshal Jerry Berte said the establishment contractor must cooperate with his office to define the necessary and proper installation of fire safety system before starting construction. The fire safety certification is a basic requirement on the issuance of a business permit from the City Government.

Meanwhile, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Noel Hechanova said the two establishments violated provisions of the Clean Water Act and the DENR Administrative Order 65 series of 1990 for lack of wastewater treatment facility.

Espinosa said the dialogue between the establishment proprietors and the City Government is a manifestation that Iloilo City is a business-friendly city and despite its violations, MO2 was given 45 days to comply with the requirements.