DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The City government here filed charges against the developer of the Gaisano Capital Mall in Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City for failing to comply the necessary documents prior to its construction.
In a City Information Office dispatch on Tuesday, July 4, the Cebu-based Taipan Development Inc. failed to secure permits and clearances from the Zoning Administrator thus, violating the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Davao City or Ordinance No. 0546-13.
Under Section 1 of Article XIV of the said ordinance, “all owners/developers shall secure locational clearance from the Zoning Administrator prior to conducting any activity or construction on their property/land.”
The charges were files by the city government on June 28.
In November last year, the city was informed about the “continued construction” of the mall despite the lack necessary documents since it started construction on May 1, 2016.
On May 17, the company sought for the issuance of a zoning certificate. But the certificate, issued the next day by Zoning Administrator Roy Ryan Rigor, indicated that the project is located in a medium density residential zone and within a water resource area.
On December 16, the company received a notice of violation from the Zoning Administrator which also ordered them to refrain from operating the project or expanding operations and undertaking any repairs and improvements unless permitted.
“They have not secured clearance at all. But even if they sought for one, we would not have released any clearance because the location of the mall is a residential zone and it’s within a water resource zone,” Rigor said.
Rigor said violators of the ordinance shall be criminally charged and, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than 10 percent but not more than 50 percent of the project cost or by imprisonment of not less than six months.(davaotoday.com)
