The Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government has recommended that Metro Safari Resort in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City, be served a second notice of violation and work stoppage for its alleged continuing defiance of the law.

The committee report endorsed by its chairman, Councilor Caesar Distrito, that requested Metro Safari Resort to do voluntary work stoppage, and for the Mayor, through the City Legal Office, to take the necessary legal action to stop the continued defiance by the establishment, was approved by the Bacolod SP Monday.

Metro Safari Resort, owned by Francis Rey Cabuga, was issued a notice of violation early this month by the Office of the Building Official for the excavation and development of a concrete foundation in the area without the necessary permits from the city.

Distrito said the resort owner has allegedly not applied for a business permit with the OBO, or any other government agency involved in the granting of clearances and permits.

‘NO APPLICATIONS FILED'

During the hearing last week, Cabuga with his counsel, Salvador Panelo, admitted that they have not even filed applications for a building permit, an Environmental Compliance Certificate, a clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform, zoning clearance and permit for the possession of several wild animals, as required by law for the Protection of Wildlife, he said.

Distrito said that, despite the non-compliance with the necessary permits, the company still continued the construction, and even after having been served a notice of violation.

Their admission of continued construction without a permit or even an application for a permit, is a clear violation of the new Building Code, he said.

“After the notice of violation was issued, refusal to comply with such, is a clear defiance of authority and a display of mockery and arrogance of existing laws and regulations,” Distrito said.

‘ENDORSED BY MAYOR'

Salvador Panelo, the legal counsel of Cabuga, claimed, however, that the Mayor had endorsed the project, and that 99 percent of the barangay is in favor of the construction of a zoo.

Distrito said, however, that no one is above the law, and if the OBO and the City Government cannot compel them to obey the notice of violation, then they cannot expect that others will respect them anymore.

During the first hearing, Metro Safari had already been asked to temporarily stop the construction that had been noted by the barangay officials and personally seen by Councilor El Cid Familiaran who even took pictures of the area.*CGS

back to top