City moves to help structure owners obtain building permit

The city government will give owners of structures without building permits the chance to secure their own permits through a streamlined procedure adopted for the purpose.

For a start, the city will first cater to structures that are built on lots that are titled.  Afterwards, it will deal with others that have different land status.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong encouraged building owners to avail of the opportunity so they can finally legalize the status of their buildings in line with the city’s thrust on good governance.

In the census conducted by the city government, it was found out that 80 percent of the structures numbering 51,000 do not have building permits.

The mayor said this program “will help building owners who are willing to legalize their structures but are unable to do so because of the changing circumstances and situations on the ground.”

“Aside from enabling the evaluation of the structural integrity of such buildings, this program will help the city collect the revenues that it has been deprived of when these structures were built without the requisite building permits.  The additional revenue will be used for the various projects which will ultimately redound to the welfare of the citizens,” he said.

Starting immediately, the city through the City Buildings and Architecture Office and the City Planning and Development Office will receive, evaluate and approve applications for building permit on structures built on titled properties that are not compliant with the provisions of the National Building Code (PD 1096), subject to the submission of additional requirements, such as but not limited to:

1. Undertaking to correct the non-compliant aspect of the structure;
2. Updated Tax Declaration for the Lot and Building;
3. Duly signed and sealed survey plan from a Geodetic Engineer reflecting the relative position of the structure. 

– Aileen P. Refuerzo