BAGUIO City Councilor Elaine Sembrano wants to install audio or visual aids on important regulations in public utility vehicles (PUVs) and terminals.
In the proposed ordinance, the audio or visual aids should remind passengers to strictly observe ordinances regulating sanitation and cleanliness, traffic, health, and the use of plastic and styrofoam.
Covered in the ordinance are the public utility vehicle operators such as buses, mini buses, tourist land transport unit, and UV express service bound for the city.
Sembrano said violations on sanitation, cleanliness, traffic, and prohibited use of plastic and styrofoam remains unrestrained and these may be attributed to lack of knowledge or ignorance of city ordinances.
The lady councilor said the visual aids will be installed by operators and will be in audio or visual form in English and would recommend a public hearing to further strengthen the measure which was passed on first reading during Monday’s council session.
The new law aims to guide and remind the passengers there are city ordinances to be followed as well as to promote comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the public and ultimately reduce violation.
“The move is necessary to establish discipline and cooperation in order to implement the letter and intent of ordinances of the city and is proper that all operators remind their passengers of existing ordinances considering that land transportation service is the most common means to reach the public,” Sembrano said.
Sembrano lamented ordinances on littering, improper garbage disposal, violation of traffic rules and regulations, smoking in public places, and prohibited use of plastic and styrofoam are the most commonly violated.
“These violations may be prevented through information campaign on the salient provisions of all existing ordinances and resolutions of the City of Baguio before visitors or passengers of public utility vehicles reach the city,” he added.
Penalties include fines ranging from P1,500 to P5,000 with the City Tourism Office issuing the necessary clearances stating, among others, that the operator strictly complied with the provisions of this ordinance in coordination with the Baguio City Police Office, and the Permits and Licensing Division of the Office of the City Mayor in charge of monitoring.