Friday, August 12, 2005
Teddy pushes for OBO split
Although the Mandaue City Council rejected the proposal to separate the Office of the Building Official (OBO) from the City Engineering Office, Mayor Thadeo Ouano intends to pursue the division of the two offices.
He even plans to make his proposal nationwide by presenting this to the League of Cities.
Ouano said in an interview that he will explain his stand to the City Council, saying he wants the OBO separate from the engineering office because that would hasten the issuance of building and occupancy permits.
“The current setup is antiquated,” he said.
If the OBO is separate from the City Engineering Office, Ouano believes the inspection of buildings will be done more properly.
The separation, however, would require additional funding because the City will have to hire a building official and the staff. More funds will also be needed for logistics.
City Engineer Ceferino Englis, who is also currently the building official, already said in a letter to the City Council that the personnel in his office are inspecting buildings, with no extra pay.
Not for profit
Since the City Engineering Office and the OBO have dual functions, the City saved money intended for personnel services and office equipment, Englis added.
But Ouano said he wouldn’t mind losing the savings.
“The government is not here to make profits or savings. We are here to serve,” the mayor added.
Last May, Ouano issued an executive order, declaring OBO as “separate and distinct” from the City Engineering Office. Ouano wants the OBO placed directly under his office.
“The City Engineer’s Office must attend primarily to its regular function to undertake, supervise and oversee the infrastructure needs of the city,” he said.
However, the committee on laws and ordinances of the Mandaue City Council is not in favor of the separation.
In its report, the committee cited the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that the city or municipal engineer “shall also act as the local building official.” (AAG)
(August 12, 2005 issue)
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