Egay Uy .
A SPECIAL task force created by Mayor Oscar S. Moreno went around several lodging houses and inns in the city on Friday to check on their compliance with local regulations, including those that are laid down in City Ordinance No. 13394-2018 or the City’s Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of 2018.
The special task force, which is chaired by City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a, was created in response to a letter of Balaod Mindanaw which brought to the attention of the city government the incidents in several lodging houses or inns where minors were reportedly abused. The matters are now in the hands of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office for prosecution of the offenders.
The Regulatory and Complaints Board which I chair is also a member of the special task force. Among the findings of the surprise inspection last Friday was the lack of separate record book where names of guests and their accompanying minors are recorded.
Under Section 13 of the welfare code, the owner or concerned personnel of inns, motels, and similar establishments shall require from all adult guests or clients who bring with them a child or children to present proof of identity of the child or children.
This also applies to drive-in motels and lodging houses where visual inspections are required to check if there are minors inside the vehicle and for the lodging house employee to request for the child’s name, address, birthdate or age, and relationship with the accompanying adult.
Notices of violation were issued to the establishment for infractions found, such failure to pay updated business permit fee, non-working CCTV system, lack of fire safety inspection certificates, and several other infractions.
The actual inspection revealed that there are lodging houses whose facilities could bring discomfort instead of comfort to patrons, such as torn bed foams, dirty linens, common toilet that could hardly cater to the number of rooms, and relatively dirty surroundings.
The special task force and the Regulatory and Complaint Board will conduct other surprise inspections of these regulated establishments. Those that will be found to be repeatedly violating regulations will be recommended for closure.
Maayong ning naay masampolan.
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