WITH the construction of high rise buildings in the city, the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) said an ordinance regulating these buildings must be passed soon.
Without such ordinance, OCBO head Cirinia Grace Catubig said they could not set a limit on the height of buildings.
A proposed ordinance, filed in 2018, is pending at the City Council. It proposes a regular height limit of 60 meters (about 18 stories) and a premium height limit of 90 meters (about 27 stories).
It aims to achieve desired levels of urban densities and to respond to transport and traffic concerns with due consideration to the rising demand for water, power, and other utilities.
The measure also seeks to provide precautionary and proactive approach to urban mobility and efficiency and to create an ecologically sustainable environment.
However, it remains pending as it is being reviewed by the councilors.
"Nagmove ang city na i-limit ang height clearance for safety purposes (The city made a move to limit the height clearance for safety purposes), including ang safety sa air space and usage sa structures in case of emergency. Kaya ba nato ma-rescue in case of earthquake and fire? (Are we able to rescue the people when it is hit by an earthquake and fire)," the building official said.
The draft ordinance states that the city government may allow construction of a tower, but this should not exceed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)'s limitations which is 72 to 162 meters high (about 21 to 49 stories) and 145 meters (about 44 stories).
In the meantime, the city relies on the height clearance permit from CAAP.
Catubig said OCBO has issued occupancy permits to five high-rise buildings. There are 20 others, with an average height of 20 stories, that are undergoing construction.
In 2017, the local government unit called a developer’s attention for putting up a boom crane at the peak of its building without informing CAAP, thus, posing a threat to aircraft flying overhead.