OBO told to inspect skywalk construction

THE City Council of Bacolod has passed a resolution requesting Office of the Building Official (OBO) acting head Isidro Sun Jr. through the Office of the Mayor to look into the alleged construction of a skywalk or footbridge at 15th Lacson-Streets.

If possible, the council said, the OBO should issue a notice of violation and stoppage of the construction.

Councilor El Cid Familiaran, author of the resolution passed during Monday's session, said the councils action addresses the issue of "double standard" in dealing with businesses in the city.

He cited the case of Metro Safari Resort in Barangay Alangilan, which is being required to secure business permit, while a business establishment along Lacson Street has not been issued a notice of violation for its ongoing construction.

The management of L' Fisher Hotel earlier sought the City Council's approval on the use of the air space for the construction of pedestrian/foot bridge that will link the existing hotel building to its new building that will house casino gaming, and other activities.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, chair of the committee on laws and ordinances, said they will discuss the issue concerning L' Fisher Hotel after they have passed the ordinance regulating the airspace in Bacolod City.

The ordinance declaring certain portions of 15th-Lacson Streets (between Lacson and Aguinaldo Streets) into patrimonial property to regulate its airspace was approved by the council on its second reading.

Distrito said it is timely that they have created a general policy because of the construction boom in the city.

With the passage of the ordinance, the city will be able to raise real property taxes, and all requests for the use of airspace will pass the City Council, he added.

Distrito said this will generate income for the city coming from the application fees of business establishments.

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OBO told to inspect skywalk construction