Isetann Manila closed for lack of business permits

The Isetann Cinerama Complex in Manila was shut down on Wednesday after the city government found out that the owner and property manager of the decades-old establishment had failed to secure proper business permits for the year.

MANILA, Philippines — The Isetann Cinerama Complex in Manila was shut down on Wednesday after the city government found out that the owner and property manager of the decades-old establishment had failed to secure proper business permits for the year.

Records of the Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) showed that Trans-Orient Management Services Inc., which provided property management functions and services to Isetann, did not have a valid business permit.

On the other hand, mall owner Tri-Union Properties Inc. had secured a business permit for 2019. However, the permit was only for a shopping center with a business area of 1,000 square meters and 10 employees. Issued on Jan. 18, the permit was valid until December.

“There were two closure orders served today, one is [on] Tri-Union, which is the mall. They have a permit as a mall but they did not have a lessors’ permit, meaning they were renting space without the necessary document,” said BPLO officer in charge Levi Facundo.

Another closure order was issued against Cineworld Cinerama. Out of the four operational movie theaters inside the mall, only one cinema had a valid business permit which, according to Facundo, was a misdeclaration.

Different sections, areas

“Isetann Cinerama Complex is made up of the following sections and areas: (a) department store, (b) supermarket, (c) four operational cinemas, (d) parking lot (e) and multiple leased out stalls and spaces,” the memorandum from BPLO read.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Isetann vowed to comply with the closure order, saying, “We fully support the advocacy of the city mayor and [hope for] the mall’s quick actions to resolve the issues concerning Cinerama Complex. We believe this is only temporary and we look forward to [serving] you again very soon.”