BAGUIO City Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda has sought amendments to the law regulating the use of mobile phones in public.
Tabanda said when the Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance was enacted in June, it had gained flak from the public.
She said since its approval and implementation, it has gained scrutiny and negative reactions from the residents as certain phone calls need immediate response and at times necessitate corresponding actions.
The lady lawmaker who heads the committee on laws explained certain instances must be considered to make the ordinance truly reflective of the policy of the city to provide an undistracted flow of pedestrians in the streets and sidewalks of Baguio.
An exemption is being sought if a person who is in a stationary position and goes to the side of the sidewalk and does not obstruct the flow of people should not be considered a violator.
The Distracted Walking Ordinance of 2018 was crafted by scout official for-a-day councilor Eriko Coscoluela which sought to ensure the safety of pedestrians and was carried by the legislative body.
The ordinance aims to regulate the use of mobile electronic devices by certain individuals in the city.
Under the ordinance, no pedestrian should cross a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device in a manner that averts his or her visual attention to the said device.
Parents or guardians are reminded to keep their eyes on their children from viewing said devices while crossing streets, roads, and highways to prevent the incidents that compromise their safety.
However, among those exempted from the coverage of the measure are pedestrians using a mobile electronic device for the sole purpose of making an emergency call or text and emergency responders viewing a mobile electronic device while in the performance of their official duties.