Business owners at Camp 8, Kennon Road have sought the help of the Baguio City Council after their business permits had been withheld following the objection of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
In a letter addressed to the city council, the business owners requested the assistance of the body for the issuance of their business permits, or they might lose their livelihood.
The area where the stores are located, including the basketball court, and the barangay hall all in Barangay Camp 8 are within the BGH reservation under Proclamation 472, s. 1968.
To help thresh out the matter, the city council invited the concerned citizens and representatives of BGHMC, Permits and Licensing Division, and the City Planning and Development Office in its session last Oct. 24.
CPDO representative Elias Aoanan said issuance of a locational clearance to the affected businessmen is subject to the consent granted by BGHMC.
BGHMC representative Atty. Joan Estoque told the city council that the BGHMC is currently undergoing expansion in accordance with its development plan, thus it had ceased granting the business owners consent to use the area.
The development includes construction of additional buildings for the additional services BGHMC will soon offer.
The city council, through a resolution, requested BGHMC to issue temporary clearances to all business owners operating within the BGHMC reservation, provided the business owners execute an undertaking to voluntarily vacate the premises when needed.
The council further requested BGHMC to submit a position paper including the survey plan or map showing the areas that are covered by the BGH reservation.
Meanwhile, Camp 8 Punong Barangay Lopito Nabulay said they had lobbied to Rep. Mark Go for the segregation of the portions occupied by the barangay from the BGHMC reservation.
Records showed the vendors had been issued business permits and had been allowed to continue selling in the area earlier this year upon the recommendation of the city council.
During a council session, it was found out that the businessmen had signed an undertaking with BGHMC to temporarily use the area and would vacate it the moment BGHMC implements its development plan. – Jordan G. Habbiling
