BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring all local and national government offices, private and public schools, private and public hospitals including medical and diagnostic centers, the Justice Hall, banks, churches, malls, supermarkets, call centers, funeral homes, bus and van terminals, condominium units, hotels and apartels in the city to install taxi signage in strategic areas in their establishments, establishing taxi stands and providing penalties for non-compliance.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Arthur Alad-iw stated the taxi signage shall be in green light with the words ‘TAXI and the NAME OF THE ESTABLISHMENT’ and that the minimum size shall be 1 foot by 1 foot and the maximum size shall be 2 feet by 2 feet.
The ordinance stipulated the signage shall be installed in strategic areas in thoroughfares or parts of the establishments and for covered business establishments in the central business district, the signage shall only be installed in parts of their establishments where it is visible. If a post is necessary in the installation of the signage, it should be positioned in such a way that it will not obstruct pedestrian lanes and traffic.
On the other hand, the switch buttons of the taxi signage shall be strategically installed near the entrances or exits of the establishments or at the security guard’s post.
The ordinance added all establishments shall regularly assign their security guards or personnel to man the buttons and assist the requesting parties and it shall be the duty of the security guards or personnel concerned to serve the riding public on a first come, first served basis, ensure and maintain an orderly queue of the requesting parties and the taxis to avoid road and commuter traffic and maintain a log book where persons requesting for a taxicab shall register.
The ordinance stated taxi stands shall be established in major thoroughfares such as Lower Session road, Middle Session road, Upper Session road, Abanao Street, Magsaysay Avenue and Harrison road.
The ordinance emphasized compliance to the provisions of the ordinance shall be within two months reckoned from the date of its effectivity.
The City Mayor’s Office through the City General Services Office in coordination with the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) shall ensure the effective implementation of the pertinent provisions of the local legislative measure.
The City General Services Office shall determine the budget estimate needed in the acquisition and installation of the signages which will be shouldered by the local government and submit the same to the local legislative body for the passage of the required ordinance.
Under the proposed ordinance, violators shall be fined P3,000 and issued a stern warning for the first offense, a fine of P4,000 and stern warning for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 and the cancellation of business permit and one year suspension of business operations for the third offense.
The non-installation of signage during the period of compliance after the effectivity of the measure shall be the first offense. In the first and second offense, the party concerned shall be given a 2-week period to comply.
By Dexter A. See