Comply with law or else, Makati mayor warns traders

Makati business owners were warned on Tuesday by Mayor Abby Binay that they could face up to five years in prison on top of a P50,000 fine for failing to hire licensed electric engineers and electricians as mandated by law.

In a statement, the city government said an inspection conducted by the Office of the Building Official (OBO) showed that only one percent of 2,530 establishments that were inspected had complied with Republic Act 7920 or the New Electrical Engineering Law.

Binay said that in the interest of the “safety and welfare of the occupants, clients and visitors of buildings in Makati,” owners who fail to comply with the law would not be issued a business permit.

She also ordered OBO officer in charge, Engr. Elmer Acuesta, to provide the Business Permit and Licensing Office with a list of all the noncompliant establishments and buildings.

Acueta said that they would closely monitor the compliance of businesses which had failed the inspection.

Under Section 33 of R.A. 7920, all electric plants, industrial factories, commercial establishments or any building “where persons and properties are exposed to electrical hazards” must keep professional and registered electrical engineers and electricians on the premises. —Matthew Reysio-Cruz