BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance providing for a Carless Day along Session Road and for other purposes it may serve.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated all motor vehicles will be prohibited to traverse along the stretch of Session Road starting from its foot up to the area fronting the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Session and the Baguio Post Office.
However, Yangot clarified in extreme cases such as emergencies or events involving possible threats to life and limb, police cars, fire trucks, emergency medical service vehicles, ambulances among others may enter the declared carless zone to perform their assigned duties and responsibilities.
Under the proposed ordinance, violators of the local legislative measure shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P3000 or imprisonment of not more than three months but not less than one month or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months but not less than three months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third offense.
Yangot explained Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them.
Further, Section 16 provides that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology and accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
In a report of the world Health Organization (WHO), Yangot cited that Baguio city was included in list of the most polluted cities in the country with 49 micrograms per cubic meter of pollutants in the city’s air based on the test results reported in one of the air quality testing machines installed at the foot of Session Road, right at the heart of the city where many vehicles traverse and where most businesses are located. Manila and Cebu came in second and third with 22 micrograms per cubic meter each.
According to him, the said results based on the test were partly because of the presence of too many vehicles roaming around the city’s central business district, adding that the situation will expose individuals in high risk status to contracting dreaded diseases such as cancer, stroke or heart ailments.
He asserted the local government has to act with dispatch to effectively and efficiently address the serious concern considering that the health of the public is at stake.
Yangot said the proposed legislation for the adoption of a Carless Day along Session Road is timely to avoid pollution from motor vehicle fumes and decrease the amount of pollutants in the air and also as support to recreation that restores family bonds, friendship and a sense of community involvement to help bring back the seemingly lost connection between man and nature.
He emphasized the Carless Day is beneficial to businesses to meet new people and learn new things that would improve their operations.
By Dexter A. See