Saturday, March 29, 2008 Official confirms SM plans to develop GSIS lot By Rimaliza Opiña
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), owner of the vacant lot between the Court of Appeals (CA) and the Baguio Convention Center (BCC), confirmed SM Investments Corporation's (SMIC) plans of developing the area.
GSIS Baguio field manager Deity Manampan said SMIC proposed to develop the area, but no final arrangements have been made because this would have to be decided by the GSIS board.
Manampan said he is not privy to the exact proposal made by SMIC as this was made at their central office. He said if any development is done at the site, the field office's function is only to monitor.
A soil test, not a lot survey is being done at the site. The tests began before the Holy Week, Manampan said, but he was quick to add the City Government allowed the entry of personnel to conduct the soil test.
A soil boring test is one requirement for the issuance of a building permit.
City Buildings and Architecture Office (Cbao) head Oscar Flores said it is the GSIS, which allowed the conduct of the soil test there. He said there were no requests made to the Cbao by either SMIC or GSIS.
A zoning clearance and environmental compliance certificate, if a structure is more than three storeys high, is required by the Cbao before a building permit may be issued. A development permit from the Housing, Land Use and Regulatory Board is also required if a condominium is built, Flores added.
Councilor Richard Cariño earlier filed a proposal opposing any plans of developing the area. He said development of the area will bring about irreparable environmental damages because the site is one of the few remaining pine stands in Baguio.
Measuring about one hectare, the area is classified as an "institutional" zone under the city's zoning law. An institutional zone is an area where no private development may be conducted.
