In a recent media forum, City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) Assistant Head Engr. Stephen Capuyan said their office is mandated to pursue the implementation of vertical infrastructure projects in the Summer Capital and that these are compliant with the National Building Code.
CBAO is currently conducting the Building Permit Promotion program where they are urging the public to undergo the building permit process that applies to both titled and unregistered lots.
Capuyan said that titled lots will go through a smoother process in getting building permits as compared to those with unregistered lots, where they must submit their papers but will be put on archive for the meantime while applying for a title at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
He said the program is for the safety of the residents since CBAO will make sure that the building should be compliant in terms of structural, architectural, sanitary, and electrical safety standards to avoid future hazards.
Specifically, it aims to check on the structural design computation meaning the foundation, beams, pillars, and the like are of the right size; electrical wirings should be inspected if these does not surpass the number of years required for re-wiring to avoid structural fire; and for sanitary purposes, septic tanks should be emptied regularly.
One of the major problems in the city is the setback of road-side structures since many are not compliant with the two-meter minimum setback and that CBAO has been warning them through affidavits to set a timeline for owners to comply, Capuyan said.
Structures without building permits are also subject for Administrative Fines under National Building Code or Presidential Decree no. 1096, which allows penalties to be imposed.
CBAO implements administrative fines to those who were given three notices but are still non-compliant, especially for those located in risky areas such as road-sides or watersheds, Capuyan said.
At present, the city’s ratio of titled lots with building permits is at 25% while the rest are still unregistered. However, with the help of technology, CBAO has been conducting a census around the city with a digitalized system to easily track and identify titled and unregistered lots.
Capuyan said CBAO is now finished with 94 barangays with the rest on the way as it continues to be consistent in implementing programs to achieve a rise in the number of titled lots with building permits.**Halle Fesway/PIO Baguio intern/gk
