Osmeña to close Vic Enterprises

Vic Enterprises, a supplier of general construction materials, may become the latest casualty in Cebu City Hall’s stringent campaign against companies operating without business permits.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he intends to close the warehouses of Vic Enterprises in Barangay Mabolo for alleged failure to secure a business permit.

“They have seven warehouses that have no business permits. They will all be closed,” Osmeña told reporters.

Last month, the mayor met with officials of Vic Enterprises after receiving several complaints about how the company is allegedly causing traffic congestions and pollution, among other concerns, in the area.

Acting on such complaints, the mayor ordered the City Treasurer’s Office to investigate the tax payment practices of Vic Enterprises.

“A tax mapping within the area was conducted wherein it was found out that five of your warehouses located around F. Gochan Street and Cebu North Road areas are operating without final business permits,” read the report of City Treasurer’s Office dated November 13.

According to the City Treasurer's Office, the company reportedly violated City Ordinance No. 69 as amended by 75, which provides “no such business or undertakings mentioned herein shall be conducted or operated without the approved business or mayor's permit having been issued, therefore.”

A separate check by the Cebu City Transportation Office also found out that the company's vehicles have committed numerous traffic violations over the course of their operations.

Of the 85 vehicles registered under CCTO, at least 63 were found to have violated traffic rules on numerous occasions, a CCTO report said.

Osmeña also asked Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office to investigate the operations of Vic Enterprises.

In CCENRO's report, there were numerous environmental issues observed during its environmental pollution assessment of the firm. These include thick dust and muds within the premises of the company's business establishment in Mabolo.

But according to staff worker from Vic Enterprises who requested anonymity, the management has reportedly addressed these issues.

Osmeña will ask Vic Enterprises to explain in writing why the city government should not close its business establishments, despite the alleged violations cited.

While waiting for the city's legal action, though, the company is allowed to do business.