This is one big mess.
“A report created by the ad hoc committee of the Manila City Council reveals that at least 58 high-rise commercial and residential buildings in the city of Manila have been illegally constructed in violation of the zoning ordinance,” reports Jenny F. Manongdo in the Manila Bulletin.
The report then said that the city officials identified the developers who erected the buildings without the required zoning locational clearance. They include the following: Suntrust Properties Inc.-Suntrust Parkview, Pacific Aviles Realty Corporation, City and Land Development, Inc., Data Land, Inc., Century Peak Property Development Inc., East Asia Land Properties, Inc., New San Jose Builders, Inc., Avida Land Corporation, Amaia Land Corporation, Vista Residences, DMCI Project Developers, Inc. and Eton Properties Philippines, Incorporated.
According to the report, the ad hoc committee, chaired by Third District Councilor Ernesto C. Isip Jr., “blamed the non-compliance of developers on former building official and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) head Engineer Melvin Q. Balagot.” Balagot was accused of being “remiss in his obligation to ensure faithful compliance and implementation of Ordinance No. 8119.”
The report added: “To avoid fines and penalties, the committee said the erring developers must file for a written application for an exception with the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustment Appeals (MZBAA) within 10 days upon receipt of the notice of violation.”
