Urban poor doubt MMDA will go after influential violators of building code

10/14/2008

A group of urban poor yesterday doubted the effort being exerted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in going after the building owners who violate provisions of the National Building Code.

Kadamay spokesman Jon Vincent Marin said for the effort to be a success, the MMDA should also go after rich and influential building owners who are the number one violators of the law.

“The campaign is laudable but the main question here is does the MMDA have the resolve to go after rich and influential violators and those who have backers in the government?” Marin said.

He added experience tells them that government agencies like the MMDA have a poor record in going after influential violators of the law.

“The MMDA can only have an effective mandate if it treats every violator equally,” Marin said, adding more often, it is the poor who bear the brunt of the agency’s campaign, especially the ongoing sidewalk clearing operations.

Marin was reacting to a Sunday statement issued by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando saying the agency would step up its crackdown on violators of the National Building Code amid observations that many building owners in Metro Manila have built structures that obstruct open spaces reserved for sidewalks and parking areas.

Fernando said he would not hesitate to tear down the structures and file cases against violators.

“We are calling on them (referring to building owners) to strictly adhere to the provision of the Building Code. We will not relent in our campaign to make them obey the law. Hindi kami mangingiming idemanda sila at gibain ang ang kanilang mga istruktura. I think it is high time that the MMDA remove or demolish the structures found violating the law and encroaching on sidewalks and roadways to teach them a lesson,” Fernando said.

He added these structures obstruct the free flow of traffic and endanger pedestrian’s safety.

Under the Building Code, the five-meter setback is applicable to roadways with a width of 20 meters and eight meters for roadways with a 30-meter width.

Aside from demolition, Fernando said building owners will also face possible legal charges.

He said these structures obstruct the free flow of traffic and endanger pedestrian’s safety.

At the same time, the MMDA chief took to task local government units and local building officials for issuing building permits even if there are violations of the Building Code.

“I am calling on building officials in every city and municipality in Metro Manila to exercise judicious judgment and do their duties wisely in issuing permits for the construction of buildings and other structures and make sure that there is compliance with the law,” Fernando said.

“Why are they being allowed to violate the law is beyond my comprehension,” he added.

He stressed this problem would not have cropped up to such proportion if local building officials are doing their jobs.

Meanwhile, an MMDA insider said this will open wide the gate for Fernando’s men to abuse this program as some of its field workers who belong to Sidewalk Clearing Operation Group headed by Director Roberto Esquivel have been implicated in P5.1 million theft involving government property one of which is the controversial “broad daylight” theft of Light Rail Transit vertical clearance post which up to now poses danger to the concrete cage of the rail. Pat C. Santos

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