INSPECTION. A composite team from the City Building and Architects Office, Permits and Licensing Division, and the sanitation division of the Health Services Office inspect a boarding house in this undated photo. The inspection of boarding houses is a regular activity to ensure the health and safety of thousands of tenants, mostly students. (PNA photo from PIO-Baguio FB page)
BAGUIO CITY – Twelve boarding houses here are facing possible closure after being found to have violated the building and sanitation standards imposed by the city government.
Charles Carame, head of the city’s Health Services Office, said Saturday that among the violations committed by these establishments are blocked emergency exits and unsanitary rooms and toilets.
Carame said they received various complaints from tenants and boarders that their boarding houses were not safe and healthy and immediately conducted an inspection together with representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Business Permits and Licensing Division, and the City Building and Architects Office.
“Among the violations included blocked fire exits, dirty comfort rooms, presence of cockroaches and rats, which are violations of the mandatory health and safety standards provided for the business permit,” he said.
The city has 1,773 boarding houses operating with business permits.
However, several others are illegally operating and are now subject to a crackdown, he added.
Carame assured the public that they regularly inspect these establishments to ensure tenants, mostly students, are safe.
“We have a lot of students who are here in the city and we want to make sure that while they are here, they are safe,” he said.
He noted that the 12 establishments were issued a notice of violation and were warned to correct the findings soon or face shutdown.
“We will return for another spot inspection, and hopefully, they will act on the notices we served, otherwise they can be meted the penalty of closure,” he added.
Carame also warned other owners and operators to keep their boarding houses always safe, hygienic and clean.
Baguio is host to the Catholic church-run Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, University of the Philippines Baguio, University of the Cordillera, Baguio Central University, and several other colleges and technical vocation institutions.
Students who are not from Baguio City are either living in boarding houses or their relatives. (PNA)
