CEBU CITY (Feb. 19, 2024) – The Office of the Building Official (OBO) has proposed several new policies, including a plan to institutionalize the city’s “One-Stop Shop for Construction Permits.”
Architect Florante Catalan, OBO head, said some of these policies are being deliberated before the City Council.
One of OBO’s proposals is the “One-Stop Shop for Construction Permits” ordinance.
Catalan said the proposed ordinance will require the City government to have one location where tax declarations and clearances; locational clearances, fire safety clearances and certificates are issued.
He said the proposed ordinance is compliance with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01.
“Naa natay joint circular ana actually but gihimoan gyud nato og ordinance para mas mapalig-on pa gyud siya,” Catalan said during OBO’s Sayon Ra, Paspas Pa teleradyo program over Sugboanon Channel.
City Councilor Rey Gealon has sponsored the ordinance, which is now under review for first reading, he added.
Last year, Mayor Mike Rama issued a memorandum creating an Online Service Task Force at City Hall.
The memo designated OBO’s Catalan as chairman with Engr. Dante Arcilla, head of the Management Information and Computer Services, as vice chairman.
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.
A “One-Stop Shop for Construction Permits” was eventually formed following a series of meetings with the Online Service Task Force.
The One-Stop Shop is located at the second floor of City Hall’s executive building.
OBO E-App
The OBO also wants to create an online application that will allow permit applicants to access its services without going to City Hall.
Catalan said the proposed “OBO E-App” ordinance will mandate contractors and building owners to use OBO’s services with less contact.
“In line kini sa atong No Contact Policy, No Gift Policy, Ease of Doing Business policy, ug sa atong digitilization of all government services,” he added.
Gealon also sponsors the proposed ordinance, which was already reviewed by the committee on laws.
Stricter fines and penalties
OBO also wants to increase the administrative fines and penalties against construction violators through amending City Ordinance 1481 or the Building Construction ordinance.
“This includes the imposition of administrative fines and penalties to violators of CO 1481 primarily enforced by the barangays,” Catalan said.
The ordinance, also sponsored by Gealon, is scheduled for first reading on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Mandatory registration of clients‘ digital signatures
The OBO also submitted a draft ordinance requiring permit applicants to register their digital signatures before the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).
Catalan said OBO can easily determine if a client’s signature is tampered if his or her signature is registered.
If the proposed ordinance is enacted, Catalan said OBO’s clients will be required to register their digital signatures before the DICT’s Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI).
“Usahay makulbaan ang mga professionals kay basin ma-copy daw ang ilang signature since digital man na,” Catalan said.
“With this ordinance, if mapasar ni siya, ma-encourage our professionals or atong mga applicants nga mo-register sad sa PNPKI,” he added.
According to DICT, a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) allows users of public networks like the Internet to exchange private data securely.
“PKI is essentially a set of hardware, software, policies, personnel and procedures needed to create, manage, distribute, use, store and revoke digital certificates,” the DICT said in its website.
Catalan said OBO is drafting the proposed ordinance.
Strengthening the National Building Code
The OBO also proposed an ordinance to strengthen enforcement of Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code and its implementing rules and regulations.
While OBO’s enforcement of PD 1096 has been intensive so far, Catalan said there is a need to further strengthen PD 1096’s enforcement.
The proposed ordinance was sponsored by Gealon and is currently under review, he added. | PPRMN / jkv
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