CEBU CITY (Nov. 29, 2023) — The city’s One Stop Shop for Construction Permits (OSCP) has received 187 applications since it started operating in September this year.
Architect Florante Catalan, head of the Office of the Building Official (OBO), said the OSCP has an approval rate of 86. 6 percent.
OBO’s clients will not have any problem in applying through the OSCP as it can be done online, he assures.
“Mas gipasayon, gipahapsay ug gipadali ang pag-process sa construction permits ilabi na nga naa naman tay online one stop shop,” Catalan said during OBO’s “Sayon Ra, Paspas Pa” teleradyo program aired on the Sugboanon Channel today.
Catalan said OBO received at least 34 applications after it launched the OSCP in September.
Of the 34 applications, OBO approved 27, with 23 still pending payment, while it returned seven to its applicants for lack of requirements, he disclosed.
The following month, OBO received 78 applications, approved 67, but returned 11, he said.
For this month, OBO received 75 applications for construction permits, approved 68 and returned seven, he added.
Catalan said Mayor Mike Rama ordered the OSCP’s creation in August this year as a way to streamline city government services and tackle corruption at City Hall.
Engr. Joshua James Ng, OBO’s processing and evaluation division head, said the initiative was part of the mayor’s plan to fulfill the constituents’ aspirations for a Singapore-like Cebu City.
“To achieve the mayor’s Singapore-like city aspirations, we needed to digitize city government services, including the issuance of construction permits,” Ng pointed out.
Steps
Those who want to apply for issuance or renewal of construction permits, Catalan said they will need to digitize the documentary requirements before submitting these through the city’s online portal.
“Before mo-apply online, ang inyong mga plano kinahanglan signed and sealed by the professionals. Once signed and sealed, convert it to a PDF file,” he added.
The requirements needed for the issuance of a construction permit include the unified application form for building permit from OBO attached with copies of clearances, legal documents, and technical plans.
Applicants must also submit an affidavit of undertaking and the usual requirements, such as the barangay and household clearances.
Architect Emmanuel Cuizon, OBO assistant head, also reminded applicants to be honest in their applications and divulge all details about their project.
“Ako lang na ipaabot sa mga professionals, labi na sa mga architects. Kay kamo man gyud ang initial o’ frontliners sa paghimo ug plano, inyo gyud i-check nga dili ambiguous o’ naay double meaning atoang pagsubmit,” Cuizon said.
“Kailangan honest gyud ta sa atong submissions. Because before nikuha ta sa atong licenses, ni-profess man ta ani that we are to build for the people and for everyone’s safety,” he added.
Composition
A memo that formed an Online Services Task Force at City Hall resulted in the development of OSCP.
The memo designated OBO’s Catalan as chairman with Engr. Dante Arcilla, head of the Management Information and Computer Services, as vice chairman.
The members include Henry Tomalabcab of the Human Resources Development Office, city treasurer Mare Vae Reyes, and city assessor Maria Teresa Rosell.
The others are Raquel Arce of the Cebu City Transportation Office, Architect Joseph Michael Espina of the City Planning and Development Office and Dr. Jessica Maribojoc of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries. | PPRMN / jkv
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