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[av_heading heading=’Alim says BFP permit issuance slow; city fire marshal differs’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – Councilor Joshua Alim lamented the “slow” issuance of permits at the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) office.
“Some big businessmen [ask] me…why the Bureau of Fire (Protection) could not easily release their permits,” Alim said without naming names during the Sangguniang Panlungsod session yesterday.
The city fire marshal refuted Alim’s claim.
“I have solved that problem when I became fire marshal,” Superintendent Jerry Candido told Panay News.
“The BPLO (Business Permits and Licensing Office), accounting firms (and) business groups can attest that we release permits in no time as long as there are no violations,” he stressed.
Business owners applying for a business permit from the city government through the BPLO must first get either a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate or a Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance from the BFP.
Those applying for a permit for sari-sari (variety) stores and similar small businesses must get a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.
On the other hand, those seeking permit to operate condominiums, hotels and restaurants, among other big establishments, must get a Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance.
Some investors complain that they cannot immediately open their commercial buildings because their BFP permits have not been released yet, Alim claimed.
There are times when the permits are released right when the establishment is about to open, said the councilor.
Candido told Panay News a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate may be released between 10 minutes and two hours.
“Upon application, we determine whether or not ocular inspection is necessary,” he said in Hiligaynon. “During the check, if a fire inspector finds no violation, the certificate may be released right away.”
On the other hand, it takes two days before a Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance can be released because “we still evaluate the building plan,” said Candido.
He stressed he is not tolerating delays. “If you experience any delay, come to me,” said the fire marshal. “Any of my personnel who cause delay will be held accountable for neglect of duty or misconduct.”
Candido stressed the delays are most likely caused by fixers.
“Fixers will lure applicants by telling them they can get the permits fast,” he said. “Many times, when city hall personnel call our attention, we tell them we have not yet received the application, which we would later find out was with a fixer.”
President Rodrigo Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address, ordered government offices to process permits and licenses within 72 hours, or three days./PN
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