Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Pay parking ordinance in Baguio abolished
By Rimaliza Opiña
BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council on Tuesday repealed an ordinance that made possible the operation of a private pay parking firm in Baguio.
Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation, however, could still avail of legal remedies to stop the implementation of the repeal, said Councilor Federico Mandapat Jr., who opposed the quashing of the ordinance and who abstained during the voting.
Those who voted in favor of the abolition of Ordinance 3-2000 or the Pay Parking Ordinance were Councilors Antonio Tabora Jr., Rocky Thomas Balisong, Edilberto Tenefrancia, Faustino Olowan, Leonardo Bayan Jr., Rufino Panagan, Galo Weygan, Perlita Chan-Rondez and Jose Molintas.
Councilor Elmer Datuin also abstained, Erdolfo Balajadia inhibited himself, while Daniel Fariñas failed to show up and vote due to illness.
Mandapat said the repeal of the ordinance is not the best remedy to stop the operation of pay parking in the city, pointing out that the move is selective because it concentrates mainly on pay parking along the central business district (CBD) and not in the barangays.
He, however, favors rescinding the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the City and Jadewell because of the violations committed by the firm, as shown in the findings of the special audit teams of the City Government and the Commission on Audit (COA).
"Their stand is inconsistent," said Mandapat, referring to the councilors who repealed the ordinance. He said the City Council's "selectiveness" could also be a violation of the Constitution because there is a resulting impairment in the obligation (of imposing the ordinance).
Mandapat added that the move is politically motivated because most of those who pushed for the repeal are known supporters of Mayor Braulio Yaranon, who is serving a one-year suspension arising from his crusade against the pay parking firm.
The repeal will take effect when acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. approves it.
In the meantime, the proposed resolution penned by Balisong and Panagan, which intended to declare spouses Rogelio and Norma Tan personas non grata in Baguio, was referred to the City Council committee on justice chaired by Molintas, for study.
The proposal said the Tan couple should be declared unwanted in the city because of their arrogance and unprofessional conduct when, in their reply to the 60-day notice of rescission, they accused city officials of grandstanding. (Sun.Star Baguio/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (November 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
About 1M residents of S. Mindanao without toilets