Several boarding houses operating in Barangay Peñafrancia, Naga City, were found to be operating without the permits and certificates, according to the Price Coordinating Council. 

The discovery was made during a surprise inspection conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection, City Health Office, Treasurer’s Office, Engineering Office, and the barangay council of Peñafrancia.

According to the Barangay Council of Peñafrancia, around 44 boarding houses have applied to renew their business permits in their barangay.

The barangay denied some of these applications initially for absence of other documents required. 

"Bale po may masterlist po kami kaiyan, kang first week of February pig-remind mi man sinda kaiyan kaya ngunyan dae naman nag[abiso] para si nag-violate talaga ma [dakop] ta," Joel Tresvalles, Barangay Councilman of Peñafrancia, said.

Some of the boarding houses in the area do not have a mayor’s permit. Others have narrow fire exits, which is dangerous, especially during emergencies. 

"Kaya piggigibo ta ini’yo ta gusto tang masigurado na an saindang mga boarders safe sa saindang pig-iistaran. Dapat nagco-comply sinda sa mga requirements," Councilor Jessie Albeus, Executive Director of the Naga City Price Coordinating Council, said.

"So iyo po yan an ang inot tang hinihiling kung in good condition po ang building sagkod habitable po siya," Engr. Khyrwin Hidalgo from the City Engineer’s Office, said.

Mae Genova, one of the owners who complied with all requirements, said doing so is their responsibility as they have to be accountable to their tenants.

"Mas palagay ang boot mi na mag-ako nin boarders, saka syempre po nag-aako kami kang boarders may pananagutan man kami sa nag-iistar po," Mae Genova, a boarding house owner, said.