THE Bacolod City Legal Office is now eyeing to file charges against the owner of the Artemis Salt Corporation for constructing an illegal structure obstructing a drainage outfall in Barangay Banago.
City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said they are only waiting for the final report from the City Engineer’s Office and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as from the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
“They are now documenting the violations committed by the salt facility. Once they completed the investigation, we will file a case against them,” he said.
He added they are considering filing a criminal complaint against the owner of the salt facility.
Chiu noted that OBO also served a Notice of Suspension against the construction of a salt storage warehouse of Artemis Salt Corporation.
He said Artemis Salt Corporation has secured a building permit, but it failed to comply with Presidential Decree 1096, or the National Building Code of the Philippines, citing errors in the submitted plans and specifications, particularly in establishing the required easement.
On July 30, 2025, the CLO enforcement team, along with the CLO, removed an illegal structure obstructing a drainage outfall at the salt facility. They removed the structure, which measured approximately one meter long and 0.06 meters tall.
Mayor Greg Gasataya earlier inspected the area and cited the structure’s contribution to flooding in Sta. Clara Subdivision and nearby areas.
He found that the firm had partially obstructed the drainage system by constructing a wall intended to prevent seawater intrusion, and had also failed to secure a fencing permit.
The mayor said they needed to remove that portion of the wall to clear the drainage system and prevent clogging, especially during the rainy season. (MAP)
