BACOLOD City – Engineer Amy Tentia has been appointed as the new officer-in-charge (OIC) of the city government’s Office of the Building Official (OBO), replacing Engineer Isidro Sun, through Memorandum No. 228 signed by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on November 15.
Tentia previously served as administrator of the Office of the Building Administration (OBA).
According to Benitez, the OBO under Sun failed to comply with his directive to implement digitalization in the building permit process.
The mayor emphasized the need for online and contactless transactions at the OBO to address concerns over delays and inefficiencies in the issuance of permits.
“I have not seen any movement towards migrating to an online transaction system, maybe it’s about time we put somebody else [in charge],” Benitez said in a media briefing.
The mayor also disclosed receiving multiple complaints, including alleged delays in permit issuance.
“When a permit is delayed, you know what can happen,” said Benitez.
He stressed the importance of modernizing operations using available technologies to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.
“Why not capitalize on these technologies? How can we move towards becoming a super city if we don’t adapt?” said Benitez.
As part of her new role, Tentia is instructed to carry out the functions and responsibilities inherent to the position. She has been given one week to review the digitalization requirements and submit a proposal to the mayor./PN
