Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order 163, s. 2021 reminding employees of the city government to refrain from processing regulatory permits of their relatives.
The order stemmed from Magalong’s observations that several employees of the city government spend their office hours, if not several days, working out permits on behalf of their relatives thereby affecting their performance in their respective offices.
Permits being processed include application of new or renewal of business permits and payment of business taxes, application for building or occupancy permit, and payment of taxes among other things.
“The acquaintance and familiarity as well as influence of these city employees with offices concerned create undue advantage over those taxpayers who do not have connections,” Magalong stated.
To avoid favoritism and ensure fairness in the application for new/renewal of business, building, occupancy and other permits, Magalong ordered that no employee including their relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso, and balae shall intercede and/or hand-carry in behalf of any applicant/permittee for issuance of said documents.
The mayor cited Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“Only employees directly involved in the processing of said permits may be allowed to handle the processing thereof in their respective offices,” the order stated.
Violation of the order will be sanctioned administratively with reprimand on the first offense, suspension for one to 30 days on second offense and dismissal on the third offense. – Jessa P. Samidan
