BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring all employees in restaurants, clubs, bars, or similar establishments to always wear their working permit identification card during working hours, prescribing penalties for violations and for other purposes.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Joel Alangsab stated it shall be mandatory for all employees of restaurants, clubs, bars or similar establishments to always wear their issued working permit identification card while on duty.
Under the provisions of the proposed ordinance, violators of the local government’s policy shall be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense and P1,500 for the third offense.
Moreover, the owner or proprietor of the business establishment shall be required to issue a directive to their workers requiring them to strictly follow and comply with the ordinance to avoid being penalized and fined.
In the event that the owners and proprietors fail to issue the necessary directive, the ordinance stipulates that this constitutes a ground for revocation or cancellation of the business permit issued by the local government for their business operations.
According to the proposal, the business operations of the establishments whose permits have been revoked or cancelled may resume only upon proper compliance with the office memorandum requirement.
The ordinance added that the implementing agency shall be the City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in coordination with the City Public Order and Safety Division of the City Mayor’s Office.
The local Government Code mandates every local government unit to exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential for the promotion of the general welfare within their territorial jurisdictions, local governments shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage the support and development of appropriate and self-reliant, scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residence, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.
The ordinance claims there are some establishments, particularly those that are engaged in the food business in the city which require their employees and staff to always wear their working permit identification cards during working hours in keeping with sound office management and business practice, and, if the same would be institutionalized or made a regular practice in the city, it would allow the customers to easily identify those who are attending to their needs when they are inside the said establishments. Aside from ensuring effective compliance to the requirements on securing mayor’s permit before a person may practice an occupation or a calling, the regular wearing of the employment permit cards will send a positive impression to the patronizing public. By Dexter A. See
