BACOLOD City – The Office of the Building Official (OBO) here has issued a notice of suspension for the building permit of a warehouse serving as a salt storage facility located in Barangay Banago.
The suspension, dated July 28, 2025, was signed by Engr. Amy Tentia, head of the OBO, citing non-compliance with the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBC) as the primary reason for the action.
The notice followed a site inspection and re-evaluation of the construction located along San Juan Street, covered under Building Permit No. 2405-00451, issued on June 6, 2024.
According to Tentia, the project was found to be in violation of several provisions under Presidential Decree No. 1096 (NBC) and City Ordinance No. 335, as amended. These violations warranted the suspension of the permit under Section 306 of the NBC.
Among the cited violations were errors in plans and specifications, and failure to meet minimum legal requirements such as accessibility standards, environmental clearances, and setback regulations; encroachment onto a public sidewalk, as the perimeter fencing of the facility obstructed public space; and submission of inaccurate or misleading data, including erroneous lot dimensions, ownership details, location plans, and supporting calculations.
“These inaccuracies compromise the integrity of the permitting process and hinder proper code compliance assessment,” Tentia said.
She added that the discrepancies may indicate either deliberate circumvention of regulatory scrutiny or a failure in due diligence by the applicant or their representatives.
“These violations constitute a breach of the conditions under which the building permit was issued,” she stressed.
Tentia warned that failure to respond to the notice within three days of receipt could lead to the continuation or escalation of the suspension, as well as further legal consequences under existing laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya personally inspected the facility yesterday, July 30, following the clearing operations led by the City Legal Office (CLO) Enforcement Team. The team removed structures that obstructed the barangay’s drainage outfall, which were part of the salt storage facility.
The clearing was in line with an abatement and removal order issued by the mayor on July 25, instructing the owner to voluntarily dismantle the obstruction within 72 hours of receiving the order.
Mayor Gasataya believes that the structure contributes to flooding in Sta. Clara Subdivision and nearby areas, as it blocks the natural flow of water toward the sea.
“Removing the obstruction will significantly alleviate flooding in low-lying areas,” he said, emphasizing the need for free-flowing drainage systems.
The structure was found to be in violation of multiple laws, including Article 51 and Article 91(B)(3) of Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines), Sections 27 and 28 of Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004), and Sections 455(b)(3)(vi) and (vii) of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991)./PN
