Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Billboard firm owes owes city P2M, exec says
AN ADVERTISING firm is the subject of a complaint by no less than City Building Office chief Joaquin Cui before the City Legal Office.
In a letter dated August 29 addressed to City Legal Officer Melchor Quitain, Cui complained of the continued operation of the Ad and Promo Management (APM) sans business permits and payment of its over P2 million debt to the Davao City Government.
Cui is asking the help of the legal office to file legal action against the agency and remove its "illegal structures."
It was learned that the building office issued an order of payment for APM for all its billboard structures for the current and past years, but "up to this writing, no payment has been made nor applied for renewal of their structures, instead, they questioned the schedule of fees and requested the refund of payments they have made."
Several notices and reminders were said to have been sent to the ad agency but it continues to defy the request and kept on with its operation.
Cui said APM had submitted a request for the renewal of its four billboard structures, but this was not processed because of non-payment of government fees and submission of other supporting documents such as lot title of the property where the structures are erected.
The Business Bureau also blocked the renewal of APM's business permit for violation of PD 1096 or the National Building Code and the signage ordinance.
To date, APM has allegedly incurred total arrears of P2,045,693.22.But despite the non-renewal of permits, Cui said "APM constructed an additional three meters for their billboard structure along Quimpo Blvd, without the requisite permit from this office. Immediately thereafter, a representative of this office verbally advised the workers to stop the construction with subsequent notice of violation issued to APM, advising them to voluntarily dismantle the additional structure and secure signage permit, unfortunately, the construction was already completed and display of a huge telecommunication company billboard was installed."
The city official said APM's action is a "glaring show of defiance and disrespect for the laws and the city government."
It was learned that APM's case is being handled by lawyer Marlisa Gallo.
Years back, APM filed a case against the city questioning the order of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to demolish all illegally placed billboards. (BOT)
