Monday, June 02, 2008 New penalties, not jail time, sought to prevent dispatchers
INSTEAD of jail terms for those caught violating the ordinance that bans dispatching activities and watch-your-car operations, the Cebu City Government will impose other punitive actions against violators.
This, after it was noticed that the fines and incarceration for several months stipulated under Ordinance 1219 do not deter dispatchers.
“After they are arrested and jailed, they are released to be arrested again,” complained City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., council committee on public order and safety chairman.
After being jailed for several months, he said, dispatchers go back to the streets to hassle drives and passengers again.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama, council presiding officer, acknowledged that it is not a guarantee that those who get jailed get rehabilitated.
“I’m worried. Maybe they (jail guards) might have placed a sign there saying, ‘Goodbye, come back again’,” joked City Councilor Arsenio Pacaña in their session last week.
22-year-old rule
City Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias started the discussion by asking for the approval of a resolution urging the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to strictly implement the ordinance.
The City made dispatching unlawful starting July 7, 1986, or nearly 22 years ago. That ordinance, however, has yet to be fully implemented.
“Despite the stiffer penalties,…such unlawful acts are still rampant and prevalent within the streets of Cebu City, to the prejudice of car owners, drivers and motorists,” he said.
“I can understand the apprehension of Member Pe in dealing with these malefactors and recidivists of society, but our hands are tied,” responded City Councilor Edgardo Labella, explaining that the City can only impose sanctions set by the ordinance.
It was suggested that violators be compelled to render “civic duties,” like having them sweep streets or clean clogged drainage outlets, instead of being jailed where they get free food and lodging. (RHM)
