BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance implementing the ‘Tapat Ko, Linis Ko’ program of the local government and providing penalties for violation of the measure.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that it shall be the responsibility of the owner or dweller, lessee, occupant of a residential or commercial establishment for the maintenance of thee sidewalks, curb and gutters and canals fronting their residence or establishment.
The ordinance pointed out that the use of sidewalks and other similar public spaces for commercial and personal purposes shall be prohibited, including, but not limited to the activities along the same such as washing and drying of clothes, vehicle or garage or conduct of vehicle repair or car wash business, car sales, dumping of garbage or litter, setting up of basketball court, constructing pens or cages of animals o animals on leash; stray animals; storing soft drinks or bottled drinks in cases; storging of household appliances and furniture’s; storing of junks and recyclables; use as storage of construction materials and equipment; house or business extension, including installation of roofs and canopies, awnings and the like; installation of permanent fences or gates; use of sidewalks for plants, trees and platters; installation of signs or billboards on or above sidewalks and detached from the establishment; parking of vehicles on sidewalks or a portion of the vehicle thereon and using of sidewalks for drinking liquor and beverages and holding of parties.
The ordinance added that sidewalk obstruction is impermissible under any circumstances and treatment thereof as trash and all sidewalk obstructions, including belongings and things found therein, whether of value or not, shall be presumed or treated as trash subject to forfeiture and disposal, without need of judicial proceedings.
The ordinance stipulated that the local government and the 128 barangays will be authorized to abate, forfeit and dispose any obstruction within their territorial jurisdiction, after proper investigation by the City Buildings and Architecture office (CBAO), City Engineering Office, City Planning and Development office, City Environment and Parks Management, Public Order and Safety Division, City Legal office, Department of Public works and Highways 0 |Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) among others, provided that, enforcers of the local government and deputized barangay officials shall be free from liability, arising from the lawful forfeiture and disposal of sidewalks and setback obstructions under the measure.
Further, all the costs related to the above forfeiture and disposal shall be charged at the expense of the violator.
Under the proposed ordinance, any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity, found violating the pertinent provisions of the measure or the rules and regulations promulgated shall be penalized by rendering community service in the barangays and fined P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
By Dexter A. See
