BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance mandating all business establishments, government offices, government-owned and controlled corporations and private corporations in the city to designate motorcycle and bicycle parking areas in their premises.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Benny Bomogao states it is a policy of the local government to maintain a safe parking area for all means of transportation in partnership with public and private establishments.
The ordinance added all business establishments, public and private offices, government-owned or controlled corporations, which is required by law or otherwise not exempted to provide parking spaces, shall designated parking spaces for motorcycles and bicycles in their premises.
Further, parking area for motorcycles and bicycles shall also be designated in places where on-street parking is allowed.
The ordinance tasked the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) to oversee the implementation of the measure in the plans submitted to it for approval and monitor continued compliance; the City Engineer’s Office–Traffic and Transportation Division to designate parking areas for motorcycles and bicycles in places where on-street parking is allowed within the central business district, except in places where motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed to traverse, and the City Environment and Parks Management Office to designate parking areas for motorcycles and bicycles in city parks where parking is applicable.
Under the provisions of the ordinance, any business establishment owner or operator found to have violated the measure shall be fined P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days at the discretion of the court and corporations shall be fined the same or its officers shall be penalized by imprisonment of not more than 30 days at the discretion of the court.
Aside from the payment of fine and imprisonment of concerned individuals, the business permit, if any, shall be suspended or revoked until the compliance of the owner to the provisions of the measure.
The ordinance noted local officials and the general public observed numerous individuals and even associations that prefer the use of motorcycles and bicycles as their mode of transportation because they can easily maneuver through traffic aside from reasons of convenience.
The ordinance claimed some motorcycle or bicycle riders find difficulty in parking their motor vehicles because of the absence of designated parking areas for their own means of transport and in effect, they are forced to park their motorcycle or bicycle in any available space around the city which contribute to congestions, especially in constricted areas thereby contributing to monstrous traffic congestions and incidents that pose a serious threat to life and limb.
By Dexter A. See
