THE Bacolod City Council approved a resolution requesting the City Planning Division Office (CPDO), the Permits and Licensing Division, the City Legal Office (CLO), and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), to inspect the establishment of business structures and the on-going business operations within the agricultural area of Barangay Alangilan with the required permits and other requirements imposed by the national laws and local ordinances of Bacolod and be immediately stopped if non-compliant.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Carl Lopez, chairperson of the City Council committee on environment and ecology.

Lopez said it is observed that several lots in Barangay Alangilan which were distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) have been used for commercial purposes.

He said commercial establishments put up in these agricultural lots are not supported with documents such as DAR conversion, land reclassification, building permits, zoning clearance, business permit, and other necessary requirements.

“These establishments have been put-up contrary to the provision of agrarian laws, the local government code, zoning ordinance, to name only a few,” he added.

Lopez noted the city government should require strict compliance of the laws before allowing persons put-up business or commercial establishments in agricultural lands covered and distributed by DAR, and within the jurisdictional area of the city.

Lopez said it is also observed that these commercial establishments do not have parking provisions tending customers to park their vehicle along the road which causes tremendous traffic in the area and traffic hazard to other motorists.

“Every commercial establishment should be required and wider space for vehicle parking in order to protect the lives of the residents and people who come to visit to the place,” he said.