LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipal government disclosed that dozens of lessees of an ongoing trade fair in a private property along Km. 5, Balili that was previously issued a cease and desist order were not issued the required permits that prompted the municipal licensing office to issue the closure orders for the said businesses.
Mayor Romeo K. Salda claimed that the trade fair operator, accompanied by a leader of an influential religious group, reported to his office to explain why she failed to first secure the required building permit for the improvements in the area where the trade fair is now being conducted but he asserted that individuals or groups intending to conduct business activities in the municipality must comply with the prescribed regulations prior to the conduct of their desired business operations.
“We made it clear that we do not oppose the conduct of any business activity in the municipality but it is important for anyone wanting to operate a business to first comply with the requirements before opening their desired business activities,” Mayor Salda stressed.
The local chief executive underscored that considering the issuance of the earlier cease and desist order against the trade fair operator, the local government will no longer be responsible once there will be untoward incidents that will happen in the trade fair area and that it will be the operator that will have to face the consequences of the risk that she had done in allowing the operation of the businesses in the area without the benefit of the structure being issued the required building permits and the lessees being given the necessary business permits.
According to him, the trade fair operator committed to address the safety concerns that were pinpointed by the technical personnel of the Municipal Building Official as part of the requirements for the issuance of the building permit for the structure that was erected within the private property but what is important is the issued cease and desist order will still be in effect.
Salda said that he made it clear to the trade fair operator that the local government is strictly implementing the appropriate rules and regulations governing the put up of permanent and temporary structures and the operation of businesses in the different parts of the locality that is why it is also important on her part to show compliance since the desired permits will be immediately issued once there will be compliance on her part.
He expressed disappointment over the defiance of the operator on the cease and desist order, saying that one cannot jump the cart before the horse, thus, what is important is that the local government was able to send the clear message to everyone that it is important to follow the prescribed rules and regulations before conducting business activities in the locality.
The municipal mayor pointed out that individuals and groups wanting to do business in the locality need not to bring with them influential personalities to help in fastracking the issuance of whatever available permits from the local government because concerned offices will willingly issue such requested permits if their businesses are compliant to the prescribed rules and regulations without pressuring them.
Salda ordered the concerned offices of the local government to strictly monitor the compliance of the trade fair operator to the required building permit and the lessees to the issuance of the business permits prior to their operation.
By HENT
Photo by Armando M. Bolislis