BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance mandating all establishments in the city to have a built-in power house within their buildings, structures or premises and providing penalities for violations.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Benny Bomogao stated it shall be mandatory for all establishments within the city requiring the sole use of power transformers to have it secured and build a power house within their own buildings, structures or premises and all exsiting power transformers attached to electrical posts along roads and alleys shall be relocated.
Under the ordinance, an electric company engaged in the sale, distribution or generation of electricity shall not provide electric service connection to any establishment covered under the provisions of the measure which does not conform with the necessary provisions of the local legislative measure.
Under the proposal, the City Building Office shall see to it that all establishments covered by the provisions of the local ordinance shall have a secured facility for its power transformer requirement incproprated in the building and electrical plans as condition for the issuance of the appropriate building permit and the Bureau of Fire Protection shall not issue the necessary fire clearancefor non-compying establishments.
The ordinance added all establishments covered by the provisions of the ordinance shall have one year from the effectivity of the measure to relocate their power transformers and the CBAO shall issue notices on a quarterly basis for compliance to covered estabishments and electric distribution company.
After the one year compliance, the ordinance said the electric distribution company shall immediately cut off electric service to non-complying establishments upon a 60-day notice.
Any person or entity found violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be penalized by a fine of P5,000 and the non-renewal or revocation of his or her business permit and closure of the establishment until compliance is shown.
If the offense is committted by a partnership or corporation, the penalty shall be imposed on the president, manager and chief operating officer.
The ordinance cited electrical transformers attached to the electrical posts are among those posing danger to the public during typhooons or calamities.
The ordinance claimed these electrical transformers can be housed more appropriately within the premises of sole users which is more environmentally-friendly and safe for the public.
The Local Government Code provides that the local government shall regulate acivities related to the use of lands, buildings, and structures within the city in order to promote public safety and general welfare.
By Dexter A. See