An ordinance laying down basic guidelines and procedures in the implementation of Section 208 of the National Building Code has been proposed by Bacolod Councilor Dindo Ramos.

The proposed ordinance said the National Building Code of the Philippines in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations mandates the retention by the Office of the Building Official of 20 percent of its total collection from permit fees and other charges.

It said the Department of Public Works and Highways has not yet issued pertinent guidelines on how the retained amount can be transferred to the account of the OBO and how it can be disbursed.

The 20 percent of the total collection of the OBO in Bacolod City from March 2006 to October 2006 of P1.8 million has been remitted to the national treasury, as provided in the National Building Code, but up to now his not been released by the Department of Budget and Management, the proposed ordinance noted.

Because of the lack of guidelines and procedures, the 20 percent collected amounting to P2.8 million for November 2006 to August 2007 is withheld and deposited with the Authorized Government Depository Bank, it said.

Ramos yesterday said that with the passage of the ordinance the OBO will no longer have to remit this amount to the national office.

The proposed ordinance will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod today for second reading.*CGS

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