UP leader Theo Heyliger expressed concern in Friday’s edition about a release by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI in the same paper. The latter mentioned that a building stop is in effect for construction without a valid permit.
The statement then reminded the public that building or making changes to a building without an approved permit is against the law. It went on to say property owners planning repairs or rebuilding are requested to come and fill out a permit request. The opposition member in Parliament likened this to “kicking a man when he’s already flat on his face.”
Heyliger has a point, but the main issue may be the wording used. It is important to give a clear definition of what is meant by “repairing” and “rebuilding.”
One would imagine that adding to or altering any existing structure understandably requires a building permit; otherwise, it becomes a free-for-all. However, fixing a roof, windows, doors or even walls to their original state following a disaster of this magnitude ought to reasonably be allowed without such pre-conditions.
Checking to make sure buildings are secure and demolishing those that aren’t makes sense in the public interest, but here too government should tread with the necessary caution. There may be cases where the structure is not adequate in its current state but can be made safe again with relative ease.
The point is that people whose property suffered from the storm’s catastrophic impact must be given a bit of leeway to tackle the most pressing damage, also considering that the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is far from over.
In this respect responsible yet balanced and pragmatic decisions are what is needed.
