THE Iloilo City Boarding House Commission (BHC) has reminded parents and students looking for boarding houses in the metropolis to ensure that these have certificates.
BHC certificate is issued after the owners secured Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Bureau of Fire and Protection, Sanitary Permit to Operate from the City Health Office, and Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit from Business Permit and Licensing Office.
From January to June 6, BHC head Ben Palma said 1,183 boarding houses were issued with BHC certificate or have complied the necessary requirements, out of 1,739 boarding houses inspected.
Majority of these, including 403 boarding houses, are in Jaro district, 235 in La Paz, and 205 in city proper located near colleges and universities.
Palma said there are some 2,300 boarding houses in the city.
Since January, Palma said they closed down four boarding houses for failure to comply with the permits following 11 complaints.
“To those who are looking for boarding houses, please make sure the boarding house has complied with the necessary permits,” Palma said.
Regulation Ordinance 2000-01 provides that “no person shall own, keep, maintain, operate or conduct any house or place for accommodation of boarders or housing boarders or bedspacers for compensation or rent without having first obtained a Mayor’s Permit, Sanitary Permit, Fire Safety Inspection Permit and paying other taxes, fees or charges."
“The Boarding House Commission’s primary goal is to ensure the safety of boarders. We remind the owners to renew their permits every year,” Palma said. (PR)