Rodriguez pushes demolition of tennis courts

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

Tension gripped over at Barangay Nazareth as its officials declared they will pursue and give the go signal to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-10) to implement P21-million proposed three-story Barangay Hall despite the warning issued by City Hall Administrator Teddy Sabugaa.

“Wala maka-sabot si Sabugaa sa balaod. Dili na kami mananghid sa siyudad tungod kay it’s a national budget from DPWH. Dili na mag-notice ang barangay but it is only the DPWH regional office will do its part,” Barangay Nazareth Chairman Maximo Rodriguez III said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Sabugaa issued a statement that there should be no demolition because local officials of Nazareth needs approval and demolition permit from the Office of the Building Official.

The city administrator also said it is illegal to demolish the sports facilities without authorization from the city government which is the owner of the land.

“We will pursue the construction considering that the funds are owned by the national government. The Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club has committed a lot of violations from the city and barangay ordinance which will be our basis to take over the area. Trabaho lamang kini alang sa katawhan,” Rodriguez said.

Based on the Executive Order (EO) No. 18-2019 which states, “Executive Order to take possession of the premises of the tennis court as a property is under the control and supervision of the Barangay Nazareth Government.”

The Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club board members operate the tennis court at the Barangay Hall compound, an operation with the contract of a lease by and between the Nazareth Barangay Council and Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club (NLTC) Board of Directors with an agreement of P1,500 space rental monthly.

However, NLTC has bypassed the Nazareth Barangay Council several times like conducting a tennis tournament without telling barangay officials and not securing a permit from the office is a violation.

“These are significant disrespectful negative system gestures because the property where the tennis court belong is within and under the control and supervision of the Barangay Nazareth government,” the EO further stated.

The NLTC still have an unpaid rental part of the year 2013 and the whole year of 2014, which the board refused to pay.

More violations found was cited by EO after the second story is now operating as a bar that served intoxicating liquor to clients that served also a violation of the Barangay Codified Ordinance that no serving and drinking of liquor within the premises of the Nazareth plaza.