By Jordan G. Habbiling

 

The Baguio City Council has approved on third and final reading an ordinance that aims to provide financial relief to building owners in Baguio City who were retroactively penalized under Presidential Decree No. 1096, or the National Building Code of the Philippines, for constructing buildings before the decree took effect.

The measure seeks to waive 80% of the P10,000.00 administrative fine.

The proposed ordinance principally authored by Councilor Jose Molintas states that the 10,000.00 administrative fine under PD 1096 places an unreasonable financial burden on affected building owners.

Through the ordinance, once enacted, the city government will formally waive 80% of the administrative fine. The remaining 20% goes to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will still be paid by the building owner.

To apply for the waiver, building owners must submit the following documents to the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO): accomplished application form, proof of ownership, proof of non-tax delinquency, and copy of DWPH assessment notice.

The CBAO is tasked with creating the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to guide the enforcement of the ordinance. The IRR will outline how applications are processed, who qualifies, and how compliance is monitored.

The ordinance will take effect 15 days after the IRR is approved. A copy of the ordinance will be sent to Congress, urging lawmakers to consider amendments to PD 1096.

The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.