Developer questioned on sidewalk enclosure

A residential condominium in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City is under scrutiny by City Hall’s Office of the Building Official for the illegal construction of its sidewalk enclosure.

The enclosure, made of corrugated metal sheets, was plastered with a tarpaulin bearing the pictures and the name of the condominium, “Riviera Condominiums French Style Living” located along Pope John Paul II Avenue.

The condominium’s developer, Santiago Clarenco Romoff of Viranclava Corp., was sent three notices of illegal construction in June 24, July 4 and July 9, said Building Official Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez.

He said the developer was told to immediately stop construction of the sidewalk enclosure and to secure a sidewalk enclosure permit.

They were also told to contact the Office of the Building Official (OBO) within three days from receipt of the notices delivered by OBO area inspector Christopher Miranda.

Since there was no response from Riviera, Enriquez sent a subpoena to Riviera for them to appear before OBO last July 19 to explain why no legal action should be taken against them.

A representative from Riviera appeared at OBO last July 19 and promised to submit a sidewalk enclosure permit application by Thursday, July 25.

But as of 3 p.m. yesterday, there was still no permit application received by the OBO.

The OBO is set to refer the matter to the City Legal Office on Monday for appropriate legal action.

The 15-storey condominium’s drainage system was also found inadequate by the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) in their ocular inspection..

“Their current drainage is running and usable it’s just small and insufficient. There’s lots of water and the culvert is just small, that’s why there is always an overflow,” Viola told Cebu Daily News.