16 boarding houses shuttered, 245 called out for violations

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE Iloilo City Boarding House Commission (BHC) has issued notices of violation to boarding houses, apartments, and dormitories that failed to comply with certain requirements and permits.

As of June 4, 2019, BHC head Ben Palma said they have served first notices of violation to 197 boarding houses in the city and second notices of violation to 48 more establishments.

Palma said the boarding houses, based on their inspections conducted, have failed to secure all the needed permits stipulated in the City Ordinance 2000-01.

“Ang kutob nga may violation, biskan nakabaton sila boarders and makita sang mga inspectors nga wala gihapon sila kapasar, ginapasummon sila kag kung indi sila maka-appear sa office, makahatag kita notice of violation and grace period. The first and second notices of violation serve as warning but once they are issued with the third notice of violation and they still fail to pass our inspection we can close them down,” Palma said.

According to Palma, 16 non-compliant boarding houses in the city voluntarily closed down after receiving final notices of violation.

Palma said the BHC has inspected 1,751 boarding houses and apartments in the metro as of June 4, 2019.

“We conducted physical and actual inspection with our composite team. Usually we have representatives from the City Engineering Office (CEO) and Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) that help us with our inspection. The City Health Office (CHO) are conducting their own separate inspection,” he said.

Out of the 1,751 boarding houses that they have inspected, Palma said 1,481 have business permits while 270 lack business permits.

Meanwhile, 91 establishments are still in the process of complying with the requirements.

Based on BHC data, 1,390 boarding houses in the city have received compliance certifications from City Hall.

As of now, Palma said they are still inspecting an estimated 2,500 boarding houses, apartments and dormitories in the city following the start of classes on June 3, 2019 of public schools.

“Subong may ongoing inspection, kay pagsugod sang klase, ga-focus kita sa mga boarding house nga lapit sa mga colleges and universities sa Iloilo,” he said.

Palma stressed said they are focusing their inspection on boarding houses near the schools to assure parents and the students that their temporary lodgings meet certain standards.

He also encouraged parents and students to be vigilant and check their respective boarding houses if they have complied with the necessary permits required by the city.

Based on the City Ordinance 2000-01, boarding house owners and operators should secure a business permit from Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD), sanitary permit from City Health Office (CHO) and fire safety inspection permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Palma said boarders can report their complaints to their office at the Iloilo City Hall.