Baguio city: The city government is considering allocating funds to assist residents in fulfilling the requirements for obtaining a building permit, an essential document that ensures the safety of structures within the city. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on property owners and streamline the process of acquiring necessary permits.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city government is actively involving barangays by designating their own engineers and professionals to reduce the cost associated with the building plan required for a permit application. City Administrator Vittorio Jerico Cawis highlighted this strategy as a crucial step in supporting residents. Building plans and designs currently cost between PHP20,000 to PHP40,000, a significant expense for many.
In addition to assisting with building plans, the city government plans to help fund surveys and collaborate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to address titling issues. A certificate of title is a prerequisite for obtaining a building permit, but many properties in the city only have a tax declaration, which hinders the process.
Cawis also noted that numerous structures predate the 2004 revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Building Code. In 2021, the city government issued a memorandum waiving penalties for owners of buildings constructed without a permit, encouraging them to apply for the necessary documentation. This measure allows the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) to evaluate and ensure the safety and structural integrity of such buildings.
CBAO Assistant Chief Engineer Stephen Capuyan explained that both residential and commercial buildings must undergo a thorough evaluation before a permit is granted. This evaluation includes assessments of structural and architectural integrity, electrical systems, and sanitary facilities. Current data reveal that out of 83,335 documented structures in 105 of the city's 128 barangays, 61,645 structures, or 74 percent, lack building permits, whereas only 21,690 structures, or 26 percent, have secured the required permits.
