Authorities in Cordova close floating cottage for violations

THE Municipality of Cordova ordered the closure of a floating cottage because of several violations of both national laws and local ordinances in the coastal town.

In a Facebook post, the local government said it issued an order of closure of business and an order to cease and desist operation of the BoraBora Floating Cottage on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.

It said that an investigation was launched upon the tip of Cordova’s chief of police Capt. Ramil Dugan on November 2—illegal structures were reportedly built in the area, prompting Cordova Mayor Therese Sitoy-Cho to have these checked by authorities.

The town of Cordova said the floating cottage violated Article 12, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which stated, “all waters and fisheries of the Philippines are owned by the State,” and it has no business permit from the Business Processing and Licensing Office of the Municipality of Cordova.

The other violations were building a structure without securing a building permit from the Office of the Building Official, the lack of sanitary permit from the Rural Health Office, and the failure to submit other documents like real property tax receipts and occupancy permit.

The team that conducted the closure on the BoraBora Cordova was composed of personnel from the Business Processing and Licensing Office, Marine Watch, Engineering Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Cordova Police Station.