Three more business establishments in Makati have been shut down for operating illegally in the city, bringing to 230 the total number of establishments ordered closed by Mayor Abigail Binay since July last year.
Ordered closed for operating without permits were Dalat Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine in Barangay San Antonio and Pimentel Welding Shop in Barangay Rizal.
On the other hand, Loreamar Spa Services, also in Barangay San Antonio, was also closed for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The establishment was the subject of a raid by the Makati police late last month.
Personnel of the Makati Business Permit Office served the closure orders on the business establishments upon the directives of Mayor Binay.
Upon taking office last year, Binay ordered the BPO, City Building Official, and other concerned city agencies to intensify efforts to crack down on businesses operating illegally in the city.
The present administration has taken a strict stance on the enforcement of the city revenue code “to protect the interest of legitimate businesses that have underpinned the sustained economic growth of Makati.””©
The imposition of the Mayor’s Permit and other regulatory fees by the city government to regulate any business activity or undertaking conducted within Makati is part of the police powers granted under the Local Government Code of the Philippines.”©”©
Meanwhile, violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 9208 or the the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, carries the following penalties: For individual offenders, imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P2 million.”©
If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, club, establishment or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, partner, manager, and/or any responsible officer who participated in the commission of the crime or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent its commission.”©
Last month, BPO personnel also padlocked Tsing Tao Garden, a Chinese food house located along Urban Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue in Pio del Pilar Village, for defying a closure order for not complying with sanitation policy.
The city government also ordered Raymund Tang, the owner and operator of the establishment, to pay a fine of P5,000 for continuing his operation despite the closure order served by the BPO on May 25.
During their routine inspection last month, BPO inspectors found out the restaurant was operating with poorly maintained and unsanitary plumbing and drainage system, and with no grease trap installed, which they said, a clear violation of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.
Late last year, the city government also ordered the closure of 58 business establishments after they found operating without permit and violating fire code.
The closed establishments include computer shops, internet cafes, a hotel and a dormitory, restaurants, eateries or canteens, stores selling cellphones and accessories, bakeshops, carwash shops, watch repair shops, and several stalls selling assorted items.
“Securing a Mayor’s Permit is a basic requirement to be able to do business in the city. We will not tolerate such brazen disregard for the law. Business owners are enjoined to pay their tax obligations and comply with existing laws and ordinances. Otherwise, you can take your business elsewhere,” Binay said.