BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 08, series of 2013 requiring the grant to senior citizens of at least 20 percent discount in parking fees.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda cited that all businesses must grant a discount of at least 20 percent on parking fees to all senior citizens subject to the guidelines imposed for the purpose.
Under the ordinance, the grant of at least 20 percent discount on parking fees to senior citizens shall be applicable to all businesses that collect parking fees in the city.
However, it was provided under the ordinance that the grant of discount to senior citizens shall not be applicable to overnight parking.
To avail of the 20 percent discount to senior citizens on parking fees, the ordinance provides that it should be the senior citizen driving the motor vehicle and the senior citizen must present his or her valid senior citizen identification card dully issued by concerned government agencies.
The ordinance also provides that all businesses covered by the measure shall install the necessary signages to inform the public of the pertinent provisions applicable to them.
Under the ordinance, any violation of the provisions of the measure shall be filed with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) which shall assist in filing the necessary complaints and charges against the violators.
First offenders shall be penalized by a fine of P500 while second offenders will also be fined P1,000 and third offenders will be fined P1,500.
In a status report on legislative tracking and analysis conducted by the research division of the city council, several findings, suggestions and recommendations were presented by the public for consideration to further improve the implementation of Ordinance No. 8, series of 2013 for the full benefit of the elderly, thus, the introduction of pertinent amendments for the purpose.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the council committee on social services, women and children for review and recommendation.
Business establishments in the ordinance will refer to establishments that collect parking fees, whether operated by government, including barangays, or private entities.
On the other hand, senior citizens or elderly shall mean any resident citizen of the Philippines at least 60 years old with the pertinent identification card issued by the concerned government agencies showing that he is an elderly or senior citizen.