Monday, November 12, 2007 Lapu-Lapu councilor asks Soon-Ruiz to work for amendments in Peza Charter
LAPU-LAPU City’s lone minority legislator finally broke his silence on the Marina Mall controversy, by asking Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz to amend the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (Peza) charter to redefine its powers.
Councilor Efren Herrera said the jurisdiction conflict between Peza and the City, which the dispute over the mall has revived, has adversely affected City Hall’s drive to step up tax collections.
For years, the City hasn’t been able to collect variance and building permit fees from building owner Efrain Pelaez Jr., he added.
“The near-violent confrontation last Oct. 19 seemed to be a result of the lack of clear knowledge on both sides as to the extent of jurisdiction and authority in the issuance of building permits and other variances,” read his proposed resolution filed in last Wednesday’s City Council session.
City Hall went after Marina Mall tenants for allegedly incomplete permits, but Pelaez had said he got them from the Peza, which claims jurisdiction over the mall.
The council, though, deferred discussing Herrera’s resolution until he consults Ruiz about it.
Herrera, who also served previously as sixth district congressman, said that the Peza officials’ opposition to the City’s attempt to demand a building permit from Pelaez has hindered the City’s tax collection effort.
The court has issued a preliminary injunction against the City’s plan to demolish Marina Mall and ordered both parties to observe the status quo.
City Hall officials, though, think the injunction does not cover their authority to close the building.
Herrera said that even if Ruiz and Mayor Arturo Radaza ran and won in last May’s elections under different political parties, they should set aside political differences to help resolve the conflict.
He said the situation is getting out of hand because many, particularly the mall workers, are already affected. In a dialogue last Saturday, some mall tenants failed to get an assurance from City Hall that they will be able to continue business unimpeded. Instead, City Hall officials told them to convince Pelaez to get permits from the local government. (AIV)
