THE contractors of the Casa Mira Towers in Barangay Labangon submitted their applications for excavation and building permits as part of efforts to persuade the Cebu City government to lift the suspension over their condominium project.
“They informed me that by September 2, they were able to submit their applications to Obo. They requested that while they are processing for the building permit, they will separately apply for the EP which I allowed,” said Josefa Ylanan, head of the Office of the Building Official (Obo) yesterday.
Ylanan said these permits will be approved within this week, allowing J.E. Abraham Lee Construction and Development to continue construction of the condominium.
The project was suspended by the regional Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) after an accident caused the death of a worker last August 31.
Ylanan said the contractors and AB Soberano International Corp. and Cebu Landmasters Inc., owner of Casa Mira Towers, will be fined for their violations.
Though permits will be granted, Ylanan said there were several comments from Dole concerning the safety of the laborers in the construction site.
“There are several permits that they have to secure for Dole. Unless Dole gives the clearance, dili pud nato sila ma-allow mo (we cannot allow them to) proceed even if the permit to construct or excavation will be issued,” Ylanan said.
When Ylanan was asked if all construction sites in Cebu City are monitored, she admitted that they were unable to do so.
“Honestly, we cannot inspect every construction activity within Cebu City,” Ylanan said. She said they lack engineers to address the 10 complaints they receive every day.
Ylanan said she told the City Council about this, and the Cebu City Human Resource Development Office is interviewing applicants.
Ylanan also called on barangay officials to help monitor construction sites in their respective barangays as they are responsible for issuing barangay clearance before construction./USJ-R Intern Dafne N. Wenceslao