THE proposed ordinance requiring large vehicles to install dashboard mounted cameras failed to get favorable votes from the Davao City Council on Tuesday’s regular session Tuesday, April 30.
These vehicles include all heavy trucks, buses, and vans.
With only four votes, as majority opposed and abstained, the proposal is considered a “loss” or will no longer proceed to its final reading.
Councilor Maria Belen Acosta, proponent of the ordinance, said she was surprised that her colleagues did not support it despite being an important measure for public safety.
Acosta, committee chair of the peace and order and public safety, said the disapproval of the proposed ordinance, which was personally requested by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is a huge loss especially that majority of the accidents in the city are caused by huge vehicles.
From January to November 2018, the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) reported a total of more than 13,000 vehicular accidents which caused damage to properties, injuries and fatalities.
During the session, councilors cited various reasons why they opposed the ordinance.
“Sabi nila, hindi naman maa-avoid ang accidents if may dashcam, which is true. Same goes with putting up CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras. But it’s a deterrent,” Acosta said right after session.
Another reason is that the ordinance is hard to implement, especially on trucks outside Davao City.
She also contradicted some of her colleagues’ opinion that it is redundant to the current circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Representatives from the LTFRB, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and other stakeholders were also invited during the session to answer some of the councilors’ queries and comments on the proposal.
Despite this, some councilors wanted to defer it for a committee hearing, which, according to Acosta, was already done, inviting the same representatives.
The councilor said she is open for lobbying it.
“I wish the councilors who did not vote would specify as to why they opposed, because it is not enough that they had voiced out when they do not offer any amendment,” Acosta said.
Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag, who is personally in favor of her proposal, said the ordinance failed to pass the council’s approval due to its style and approach on how it will be implemented.
“General sentiment nila is that the intention was good. In case she would re-file it, my suggestion is that paminawon niya tong gusto na i-incorporate sa iyang kauban,” Al-ag said.