BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring all motorcycle, e-bike scooters and bicycle riders, to wear high visibility reflectorized vests or jackets when travelling along the roads and streets of the city from 6 pm to 6 am and providing penalties for violation of the proposed measure.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Elaine D. Sembrano stated all motorcycle, e-bike scooters ad bicycle riders and passengers, are mandated to use reflectorized vests or jackets when travelling within the roads and streets of the city from 6 pm to 6 am.
The ordinance added in case the riders or passengers carry with them a backpack, it must have a reflectorized or visible material big enough for easy visibility, and yellow, orange, and lime green are the required colors that should be used considering that the said colors are the standard for traffic-related safety vests.
Under the proposed ordinance, a fine of P1,000 shall be imposed upon any person found violating the pertinent provisions of the local legislative measure.
The ordinance tasked the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to strictly enforce and implement the pertinent provisions of the proposal.
Section 458 of Republic Act (RA) 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines provides that the local legislative body, as the legislative arm of local governments, shall enact ordinances, approved resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the same Code and in the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city as provided for under Section 22 of the Code.
Article 2, section 5 of the 1987 Constitution states that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.
The ordinance stipulated knowing it is dangerous and a violation of the city’s transportation and traffic ordinance, some riders overtake a moving motor vehicle from the right side even at night time posing danger to both motorists.
The edict claimed that to prevent accidents caused by human error, a local legislative measure must be enacted to protect motorists, passengers, pedestrians and to preserve lives and properties from being exposed to the dangers of unsafe driving by motorists.
The enactment of the proposed ordinance was triggered by numerous incidents caused by motorcycle riders who usually do not wear the required vests and jackets at night and overtake moving motor vehicles from different directions.
One of the major vehicular accidents happening along major roads and streets in the city are due to motorcycles that overtake from different directions warranting the implementation of stringent rules and regulations by concerned government regulating agencies in the issuance of licenses to motorcycle drivers to require them to undergo rigid tests and trainings before being issued such licenses.
The proposal was referred to a committee for study and recommendation whether or not the same will be passed on second and third readings by the local legislative body.
By Dexter A. See
