City padlocks 30 establishments for “illegal operation”

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

Monday 25th of June 2012

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 25 (PIA) -- Around 30 business establishments for the month of June alone are set to be padlocked as the city government ordered for their immediate closure after finding out that these establishments have been operating “illegally.”

City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias in a press statement said that after thorough inspections done by a task force to check on illegally-operating business establishments, 30 business enterprises including restaurants and internet cafes located in the city proper were found to be operating either without a business permit or a renewed business permit and other related requirements.

“Among the establishments ordered closed were a restaurant located in Nunez Street, internet cafes located near schools in the city proper, and several other business stalls,” Covarrubias said.

Covarrubias however said, the “closure order” will be lifted once the necessary permits and other requirements are secured or complied with by the concerned owners/operators of these establishments.

Covarrubias emphasized that City Ordinance 92-008 otherwise known as the Revenue Ordinance mandates businessmen to secure licenses or permits before operating any business activity.

“On the other hand, the Ordinance Regulating the Operation of Internet Cafes in the city prohibits minors as clients, setting up of cubicles, and showing of pornographic materials in internet cafes,” Covarrubias said.

The task force that did the made the rounds was composed of representatives from the City Legal Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Engineer’s Office, and City Permits Division under the Office of the mayor among others. (JPA/FDM-PIA9, ZBST)