MetroState construction grounds to a halt
FOR HAVING NO BUILDING PERMIT
Company tried to defy Mayor Al
THREATENED with an iron hand by the new administration of Mayor Al Fernandez, defiant MetroState Realty Corporation was finally compelled to stop the construction work on the controversial P84 million tourism-commercial project at the former Magsaysay Park.
An incensed City Engineer Virginia Rosario, who earlier issued a notice to stop work, trooped to the company’s project site Thursday with seven uniformed policemen in tow to enforce the order.
Rosario, backed by City Legal Officer George Mejia, implemented the marching order of the Fernandez administration to stop the controversial project for having no building permit.
Initially, the construction foreman on the site was reluctant to heed the notice to stop and tried to call their lawyer but he eventually cooperated when the city engineer said the city government threatened to bodily carry them out from the premises.
City Legal Officer George Mejia had advised Rosario to assert her authority as the duly designated building official of the city since the construction commenced without a building permit.
As of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, a “no trespassing” sign was posted by the city government at the gate of the premises and Mejia warned that anyone who enters will be considered a trespasser and will be hailed to court.
Rosario went to the construction site when she observed that men continued to work at the project site despite the order to stop sent by her office to the company.
The city engineer’s office sent the notice to the project site Friday afternoon but no one was willing to receive it. It was sent again Monday afternoon this time an official of MetroState received it albeit reluctantly.
Rosario said that when MetroState’s workers continued to work on the project despite receipt of the notice by the company, it was apparent that the company had planned on defying the city government.
“We brought a padlock to close the construction site.” she said after coming out from the construction site.
After stepping out from the premises, Rosario ordered her men to remove a signboard that made it appear that the construction had a building, electrical and plumbing permits even stating their corresponding numbers, although it is the opposite.
She maintained her office never issued such permits but she did not indicate what action she would take against MetroState for its illegal claim.
City Legal Officer Mejia described the recent event euphemistically saying the “city government had just crossed its rubicon with its move and this could lead to greater prosperity and progress for Dagupan”.
The construction is located on a prime lot owned by the city leased by the administration of Mayor Benjamin Lim for P1 million a year to MetroState, for 25 years.
Mejia said that while MetroState has not resorted so far to any legal action to contest the closure of the construction site, he anticipates a big legal battle ahead.
“We are ready for it,” he said.
He reiterated that the city government has every right to drive away anyone who is squatting on its property. -LM
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