BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that seeks to expand the implementation of no parking along major roads in the central business district area from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Ordinance No. 106, series of 2008 prohibits the parking of vehicles along Lower Session Rd., Abanao St. and Upper Mabini St. from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The amendatory ordinance authored by Councilor Michael L. Lawana stated that all vehicles are prohibited to park along lower Session Rd., Abanao St., Upper Mabini St., Perfecto St., Carantes St., Lower Mabini St., Assumption Rd., Diego Silang St. and T. Claudio St. from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
However, Mines View, Dagsian-Gabriela Silang, Happy Hallow-Kadaclan, Camp 7, Kitma, Poliwes-Camp 8, San Vicente, Lucnab, Loakan, PNR, Hillside, Dalicno and Camp 6 jeepney operators and drivers will be exempted from the coverage of the no parking time along the said streets in the city’s central business district.
Further, the proposed ordinance designated portions of T. Caludi St. adjacent to a drug store, F. Calderon St. in front of Skyworld Commercial Center and Diego Silang St. leading to the DENR-CAR regional office as one-way parking areas.
Under the proposal, any person found violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be made liable to pay a fine of P500 for every offense committed.
The amendatory ordinance added Ordinance No. 106, 2008 as amended no longer serves its purpose as it no longer is attuned to the present traffic situation of the city and to prohibit parking along Session Rd. from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. would only stir and disturb the state of traffic affecting the entire city because those vehicles parked along the road would scramble as they disperse to locate parking in the nearby areas to park their vehicles.
Lawana claimed there are 114 designated and marked parking areas along Session Rd., Assumption Rd. can accommodate 23 vehicles, F. Calderon St. in front of Skyworld can accommodate 12 vehicles and 12 motorcycles, T. Caludio St. adjacent to a drug store can accommodate 11 vehicles, and Diego Silang St. leading to the DENR-CAR offices can accommodate 20 vehicles.
Currently, F. Calderon St. T. Caludio St. and Diego Silang St. are being used as parking areas in the absence of the appropriate regulatory measure, particularly executive or legislative issuances.
The ordinance added that utilizing the full capacity and potentials by expanding the road capacity of Session Rd., Assumption Rd., Calderon St., Caludio St. and Diego Silang St. as regulated parking areas would definitely contribute in easing traffic congestions in the central business district area.
The proposed amendatory ordinance was referred by the local legislative body to the Committee on Public Utilities, Traffic and Transport Legislation for study and recommendation for approval in the future.
By Dexter A. See
