THIS year, the City Government of Davao has passed resolutions and ordinances in a bid to maintain peace and order.
Along with its growth and the undeniable increase on the number of buildings and people, is the increasing number of laws and ordinances that need to be followed.
In 2018, five notable ordinances measured the discipline of the Dabawenyos.
Sobriety Ordinance
Passed in the 18th City Council session last March 6, the city prohibits drinking liquor along the street, on sidewalks, in public parks and playgrounds for safety reasons. The ordinance is different from liquor ban as it focuses on buying and selling within specific time and the sobriety ordinance will cover 24 hours.
Violators will pay a fine of P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 and or imprisonment of three months at the discretion of the court for the second offense, and the fine of 5,000 and or/imprisonment of one year at the discretion of the court.
Ordinance on road blockades and street rallies
Last November 27, the ordinance was approved by the city councilors despite the opposition of some progressive groups. In the ordinance, there will be no more street rallies affecting the flow of traffic will be allowed in the city.
Also stated in the ordinance is the prohibition of unauthorized road closures, setting up of barricades, stalling of vehicles of other similar acts committed by an individual or group to preserve peace and order and protect national security.
Each person violating the ordinance will be penalized with P5,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than one year or both at the discretion of the court.
Hijab ordinance
While some places prevent Muslim women from wearing Hijab in workplaces, Davao City approved an ordinance that will protect Muslim women from these kinds of discrimination.
The approved ordinance indicates the promotion of and protection of the right, well-being and religious belief of Muslim women to wear hijab, niqab or burqa in school campuses, workplaces, commercial establishments and other private of public places. However, this ordinance will still have to consider security and general protection by allowing a female security to remove cover for facial recognition.
Green Building ordinance
The ordinance required future buildings to adopt green technology and to adopt measures on energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials and waste management, site sustainability, and indoor environmental quality.
This seeks to ensure environmental sustainability of buildings and reduce its negative impact to health and environment, so violators of the ordinance will be penalized between P500 and P5,000 or imprisonment of two months to one year, or both at the discretion of the court.
Ordinance on Indigenous Peoples (IPs) conflict resolution
Just recently, the City Council approved an ordinance providing a traditional way of conflict resolution between two IP parties in the city.
Stated in the ordinance approved last December 14 was the contribution of the ordinance in declogging court cases. However, if the council of elders failed to act upon the complaint within 15 days upon submission of the conflict to its jurisdiction, the issue shall automatically be raised to the Katarungang Pambarangay through the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
While some ordinances can be commended, the question now is if it will be implemented properly or not. Ordinances are useless without proper implementation.