Makilala to impose strict policies on issuance of building permits

MAKILALA, North Cotabato - Learning lessons from calamities, the local government of Makilala, North Cotabato is planning to impose stricter policies in securing building permits.This after several houses and government buildingsin remote villages were either totally destroyed or partially damaged as a result of the 5.2 earthquake that hit the province in September. Makilala mayor Rudy Caoagdan told Radyo Bida Kidapawan that materials in concrete building construction should be according to national standards to save lives in the future.An assessment conducted by the municipal engineering office showed that most of the damaged or destroyed houses were made of substandard materials and have weak foundations that easily gave way during tremors. Beside, Caoagdan said, the engineering office found that the building permits requested by some house owners were for the construction of light houses made of indigenous materials. Caoagdan said the stricter policy to be imposed by the engineering office is basically meant to protect lives and properties.