Barangay Apas folk score building official for failure to enforce order; mulls court action

RESIDENTS of sitio Baca in barangay Apas, Cebu City yesterday complained after the owner of a private lot near their neighborhood erected a fence blocking their right of way.

Apas barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman stepped in to prevent the owner of the lot Brenda Tanner from proceeding with the fencing of her property which would affect the ingress and egress of 24 households living near the private lot.

The Office of the Building Official (OBO) of Cebu City has approved the fencing permit of lot owner Brenda Tanner last January and construction of the fence started last week, but residents were surprised yesterday morning upon seeing their entry and exit alley blocked by plyboards and cement.

For now, they have to squeeze through a small gap between the fence and one house to get out. But if the fencing will be completed, this too shall be covered.

Residents have been requesting for a narrow right of way but the lot owner refused.

Ayuman said that they already secured a hold in abeyance order from the OBO dated June 7, 2013 but it was not acknowledged by the construction workers.

“Naglibog mi nganong way ngipon ning hold in abeyance order. Ang solusyon ani naa ni Engr. Enriquez. OBO should enforce it,” Ayuman told Cebu Daily News.

(We are now confused why the abeyanace order has no force. The solution here lies with Engr. Enriquez.)

“Please be advised that you have to discuss this matter with Honorable Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman and the affected residence for a win-win solution to this problem,” read the document which bore the sign of OBO chief Engr Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez.

Some of the residents accompanied by Ayuman went to the Cebu City hall yesterday to ask for assistance. Ayuman said his meeting with Enriquez ended with an argument and with the issue still unresolved.

Ayuman said they are now considering filing for a Temporary Restraining Order against the construction in the court.