Mandaue shuts down 14 firms without permits

The Mandaue City government closed at least 14 small scale business establishments along M.C. Briones Street in barangay Centro for not obtaining permits to operate for the last 10 years.

Establishments Sr. Pedro, Pepang Lomi and Batchoy, Pon Pon Eatery, Abukay Tero Supply, Ranants Food and Drinks, N.B. Vulcanizing, Lurbie B-Bq, Benita Danas, Paz Baker, Pido Prito, Alicia Dabon, Rosita Daclan, Marites Pedrano and Euprocino Pedrano did not get business permits since 2000, said lawyer Jamaal James Calipayan, assistant city legal officer.

He said these establishments have not paid taxes and failed to present their book of accounts, violating City Ordinance 99501 or the Revenue Code of Mandaue City.

Owners face a penalty of at least P1,000 or six months in jail.

Calipayan said they served the closure order of the establishments in July to give them time to secure business permits.

But when they checked in February they found out that the owners ignored the notice.

“They have been given a chance to comply but they did not,” Calipayan said.

Benita Danas started living and selling in a lot along M.C. Briones Street in 1975.

She said they applied for a business permit but could not get one in the absence of the lease of contract from the the lot owner.

She said that when they applied for a business permit, they were just tossed from one office to another in City Hall.

Calipayan said that they will not demolish the establishments or let the firms vacate them but won’t let the businesses operate until they get a permit.

The city also revoked the business permit of Cebu Golf Academy along A.S. Fortuna, barangay Banilad after homeowners of Green Plain Subdivision complained that golf balls hit their houses.

Calipayan said the permit will be renewed onl y if the academy makes sure that they will undertake measures to ensure they don’t inflict damage on neighboring residents and property.