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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Nalzaro: Closing Mango Square
By Bobby Nalzaro
Here's a reaction from a reader to my column “Going after Mango Square” that appeared last Saturday.
Jay Padriga (jpadriga@ cebuglo baltel. com) supports Mayor Tomas Osmeña's plan to discipline the management of Mango Square Mall for various violations of the National Building Code. But he disagrees with the idea of closing the entire mall.
Here's part of his letter:
“There is valid reason for Mayor Osmeña to issue the threat because of the many violations of the building code by Mango Square. But while I agree that the mayor should impose disciplinary measures on the mall’s management and on 22nd Comedy Bar and the beer joints, these actions should not affect the law-abiding tenants.
“National Bookstore has been there even before Mango Square. Also, several foreign businesses that invested millions of dollars in Cebu are inside the complex, like X-Libris Publishing, MTC Academy, call centers, Cebu Global, UK Link, etc.
“These firms employ thousands of Cebuanos and will surely be affected by the closure of Mango Square. Besides, it will send a wrong signal to investors. And the 10 days ultimatum is just too soon.”
Well, I think Mr. Padriga has a point. It is unfair for tenants that did not commit any violation to be included in the closure order. Why close the entire mall when only few tenants violated the building code?
What got the ire of the mayor, I understand, was the mall’s management allowing some of their occupants to construct additional structures in the place. As a result, he is resorting to what the military calls, “pack one, pack all,” which considers the mistake of one as the mistake of all.
Tomas move is obviously meant to pressure the tenants to force the management to correct the violations. In the first place, why did the owners not bother to call the attention of their tenants when they noticed the construction of additional structures?
But before the mayor penalizes Mango Square, he should also investigate Office of the Building Official (OBO). Did OBO issue a permit to 22nd Comedy Bar allowing it to build its stairs along the sidewalk?
If the bar owner did not secure a construction permit, why did OBO personnel and City Hall officials fail to monitor the construction? That structure was not built overnight.
Isn't it the duty of OBO people to monitor and inspect any ongoing construction? It seems they slept on their job. Will they again use as reason the lack of field personnel?
Is this incompetence or was an under-the-table-deal consummated? Just asking.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com/ 0918-2198333)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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