MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Following the resumption of the Kathagombalay in February this year, the city government through its Office of Building Official (OBO) has approved a total of 1,104 building permit applications of internally displaced families in the most affected area (MAA) of the city.

City Engineer Jamel Gandamra said 1,006 of the approved building permit applications were for the repair of houses while 98 were for the construction of new houses.

The approved applications are from displaced families in Tolali and Daguduban (432), Moncado Kadingilian (295), Kapantaran (201), Sangkay Dansalan (31), Wawalayan Marinaut (44), Sabala Manao Proper (26), Lilod Madaya (28), South Madaya (29), and Bubong Madaya (18).

Although more than a thousand applicants were already issued building permits by the city government, Gandamra said some have not started the actual construction or repair of their houses due to several factors such as financial constraints as some of them are still waiting for the approval of the compensation bill.

To date, the city government has already received 2,659 applications for building permits under the Kathagombalay, a program of the Task Force Bangon Marawi in partnership with the city government that involves a one-stop shop for processing of building permits for the repair or construction of houses within the MAA.

The city engineer explained that only half of the total applications have been duly approved due to the lack of required documents particularly the proof of ownership or property title on the part of the applicants.

He emphasized that such documents are needed to establish legal ownership of properties and avoid future disputes.

"Bina-validate natin kasi mahirap na magkaroon tayo ng problema later, na naging lenient tayo dun sa pagprocess, tapos nag-approve tayo without digging further kung sino talaga ang may-ari nito," he said.

[We validate because it would be difficult if we will have a problem later, that we became lenient in processing, and we approved without digging further who really owns it.]

Gandamra assured they are doing their best to expedite the release of building permits adding that the city government has exercised "flexibility" on the requirements by engaging the Punong Barangays to certify that the applicant is a bonafide resident of that particular barangay. 

He, however, clarified that such certification is just temporary as later on, they still will require the submission of the proof of ownership. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)