HE may be the country?s greatest boxer, a champion looked up to globally and a congressman, but residents and officials of General Santos City slammed Rep. Manny Pacquiao for the construction of a building and tower for a local radio station he plans to establish without securing the necessary permits.
General Santos City Planning and Development Officer Bernadeth Francisco said that residents opposed the installation of the radio tower fearing that it may affect their health. The building that will house Pacquiao?s Sarangani Broadcasting Inc. (sbi) was constructed in a residential area in Barangay San Isidro. Francisco said that they were surprised to discover that the building was already finished.
She blamed the General Santos City engineers office for allowing the construction of the building despite the failure of the SBI management to secure a building permit and other necessary requirements.
General Santos City engineer?s office chief Mark Reyes refused to give a statement when sought for an interview. Officials said the city government is doing its best to contact Pacquiao to settle the problem.
Francisco said that for Pacquiao to operate a radio station, he will need a clearance from the Air Transport Office (ATO), a permit from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and a clearance from the Department of Health (DOH). He will also need to ask Congress to grant him a franchise to operate his radio station.
Beth Ng, leader of residents who lodged complaints before the office of the city mayor, strongly opposed the construction of the building.
?Ordinary people who intend to construct even a small building are strictly required by the city government to secure a building permit as well as many clearances before the construction can start. But here, it clearly showed that the building for a local radio station was finished without the owner getting a single permit and yet the city government allowed it. Why? Is it because Pacquiao is a world boxing champion and a congressman?? Ng said.
Mayor Darlene Magnolia Ricasa Antonino-Custodio of General Santos City, in a radio interview, said Pacquiao may be penalized if an investigation will show that the building was erected without the required permits.
