PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Sangguniang Panlungsod here on Monday approved the ordinance prohibiting the use of city sidewalks as working areas and store extensions.
The ordinance is meant to prevent encroachment on sidewalks which obstructs normal pedestrian flow, said Councilor Jonjie Rodriguez, author of the law.
“It has been observed that many business entities utilize, convert and appropriate street sidewalks or its portions as [extension of] their shops, offices, working areas, or for other purposes in the conduct of their business,” Rodriguez said following the ordinance’s approval.
He stated that sidewalks are paved path to keep pedestrians safe, and using it for other purposes “causes disturbance.”
“Street sidewalks are principally dedicated to provide a safe path for people to walk along that is separated from the motorized traffic and aid road safety by minimizing interaction between pedestrians and motorized traffic,” he added.
Violators of the “street sidewalk working ban ordinance” may be fined PHP1,000 and PHP3,000 for first and second offenses, respectively. Third offense entails a fine of PHP5,000 and/or revocation of license to operate at the discretion of the City Licensing Office (CLO).
The city government will also confiscate “all tools, materials, equipment and other instrument belonging to or under the control of the erring person, company or entity.”
Rodriguez said programs and activities run by the city government which require the use of sidewalk for a certain period of time are exempted in the ordinance.
He added that the current administration’s “Task Force Ayos,” composed of the City Traffic Management, City Anti-Squatting, City Licensing, City Police and other concerned authorities, will take charge with the ordinance’s enforcement.
“This is an answer to the request of the majority of our constituents who’ve been affected by the improper utilization of sidewalks,” he said.
The ordinance will take effect 15 days after the date of approval by the City Council. (Keith Anthony Fabro/PNA)
