Owners of illegal structures who ignore cease and desist orders warned

The City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) warned owners of ongoing unpermitted structures who ignore orders to cease and desist from continuing their construction activities of stiffer penalties.

City Building Official Arch. Johnny Degay said there are people who continue to build in blatant disregard of the first notice of violation with a directive to maintain status quo and comply with the building permit requirements being issued by their office.

He said these acts have repercussions as they risk being issued second and third notices of violation which may lead to the filing of criminal cases and issuance of a demolition order.

“Let us abide by the order to avoid a scenario where we will no longer have the chance to legalize our structures,” Degay said.

As per procedures, owners of ongoing illegal structures found on titled lots without ownership issues are issued first notice of violation and ordered to stop construction and secure a building permit.

On the other hand, those with lot conflicts are issued first NOV and cease and desist order with the advice to resolve the lot issues and comply with the permit requirements.

Meanwhile, constructions on untitled or unregistered lots are issued notices of violation and subjected to investigations while those found on safeguarded lots are immediately endorsed for summary demolition. – Aileen P. Refuerzo