MMDA to fail in campaign vs Building Code violators – group

MANILA, Philippines – A militant urban poor group on Monday said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will fail in cracking down violators of the National Building Code. A radio report quoted Kadamay spokesperson Jon Vincent Marin as saying that the MMDA may hesitate to file cases against the violators "who are mostly rich and influential" and "who have prominent backers in the government." Marin said that the MMDA can only have an effective mandate on the poor, citing the demolitions of informal settlers’ houses. MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday said the agency would step up its crackdown on violators of the National Building Code, amid observations that many building owners in Metro Manila have built structures that obstruct open spaces reserved for sidewalks and parking areas. Fernando said he would not hesitate to tear down the said structures and file cases against violators. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV