Building constructions in city thrive amid the pandemic

The economic outlook for Iloilo City remains promising as construction of buildings and houses in the metro thrives in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) indicated that the city government has received 1,037 applications for construction activities.

The number includes 655 building permits approved by the city government as of April 16, 2021.

According to OBO acting head Engr. Mavi Gustilo, the increase in the number of building permit applications connotes a progressive economy despite the challenges of the pandemic as more infrastructures are being constructed in the metro.

“The increasing number of building permit releases means more infrastructures. It signifies that the city is progressive and that the business sector has confidence in governance and potentials,” Gustilo said in an interview with the Iloilo City Public Information Office (PIO).

Currently, the OBO is tasked to hasten the processing and release of building permits. Hence, the office has been strictly implementing the no red tape policy to streamline the processing of permits and certificates and limit the transactions within five to 15 days.

“We are also making further studies to improve the existing system of processing, and make it easier for our applicants,” Gustilo said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said that the city government continues to gear its efforts towards the recovery of its business sector to regain the losses of the economy incurred from the pandemic.

“We want to show that despite the pandemic, the economy moved through the buildings and houses being constructed,” Treñas said. (ERS)