by Jenny F. Manongdo March 17, 2014 Manila, Philippines — At least 58 high-rise commercial and residential buildings in the city of Manila have been illegally constructed in violation of the zoning ordinance, city officials disclosed yesterday. A report created by the ad hoc committee of the city council identified the developers who erected the buildings without the required zoning locational clearance. They include Suntrust Properties Inc.-Suntrust Parkview, Pacific Aviles Realty Corporation, City and Land Development, Inc., Data Land, Inc., Century Peak Property Development Inc., East Asia Land Properties, Inc., New San Jose Builders, Inc., Avida Land Corporation, Amaia Land Corporation, Vista Residences, DMCI Project Developers, Inc. and Eton Properties Philippines, Incorporated. The ad hoc committee, chaired by Third District Councilor Ernesto C. Isip Jr., blamed the non-compliance of developers on former building official and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) head Engineer Melvin Q. Balagot. The officials said Balagot was “remiss in his obligation to ensure faithful compliance and implementation of Ordinance No. 8119.” “It was proven that Engr. Balagot was issuing building permits without the required zoning clearances and thus, several developers were and are able to construct high-rise buildings in utter violation of the zoning ordinance. Although some of the developers were able to secure a zoning permit, its issuance is invalid considering that the developers violated the Percentage of Land Occupancy and Floor Area Ratio (PLO/FAR) provisions of the ordinance which restricts the Land Use Intensity Control ratings for a type of building in a certain zone,” the committee report dated March 5 said. “If all developers were allowed to construct buildings without following the stringent requirements of Ordinance No. 8119, the City of Manila would be unable to ensure the health and safety of building occupants as well as impose control on traffic generation, requirements on utilities, over-building, over-crowding, visual access, disaster risk management and the desired zone character within the city,” the report said. To avoid fines and penalties, the committee said the erring developers must file for a written application for an exception with the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustment Appeals (MZBAA) within 10 days upon receipt of the notice of violation. Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/58-buildings-in-manila-illegally-built-officials/#1JQ0PGir1yJBhQrw.99