CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Now hear this, motorists and drivers: pay penalties, do community service or go to jail when you park your vehicles in major "no parking" zones in the City of San Fernando.
On Friday, August 30, the council of Barangay Sto. Niño here, headed by chairman EJ Diaz, said that major thoroughfares under the village's jurisdiction that include the busy Capitol Boulevard, Lazatin Boulevard up to Heroes Hall and the Lazatin Flyover, the old back road in Sto. Niño Viejo (Sitio 8-9) covering the areas of the Land Transportation Office up to Essel Supermarket, the Pampanga Provincial Jail and Provincial Police Office up to the Pasudeco boundary of Barangay San Juan, plus the road going to the old PNR train station and museum, have been identified and declared "strictly no parking zones."
Diaz and Councilman Norman Tuazon told SunStar Pampanga that the no parking zones are in compliance with Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation Traffic Code, and City Ordinance 2000 (Traffic Control and Parking Ordinance) and supported by a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum calling for the clearing of major roads of obstructions.
The pending enforcement of the laws were discussed during a public hearing cum consultation last August 24, 2019 at the barangay covered court that was attended by various stakeholders.
"We have to start enforcing these laws immediately on September 2 since Barangay Sto. Niño covers major arteries leading to Capitol and the city proper, as well major establishments. We have to clear roadsides of illegally parked vehicles to ease traffic and provide convenience to the public," the officials said.
The no parking rule in roadsides will be on from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and will apply to all types of cars, public utility jeepneys (PUJs), private jeepneys, trucks, triwheelers, tricycles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedicabs of all sorts, including e-trikes.
Drivers of vehicles parked in the no parking zones will be apprehended and face penalties, such a coaching and documentation of violation and community service for the first offense; P500 fine, documentation of violation and community service for the second offense; P1,000 fine, documentation of violation and community service for the third offense; and one day to 15 days imprisonment for the fourth offense.
"Of course, we will consider emergency cases as enforcement goes on. And since it is still in the jumpstart period, we will conduct the necessary information drive and posting of necessary signages to properly direct motorists doing business and transactions in the no parking zones," Tuazon added.
Diaz, for his part, stressed that the village council will look and provide an area suitable for parking vehicles instead of roadsides, sidewalks and thoroughfares.
"We are looking at the possibility of working an agreement with PNR on that property in the vicinity of the old train station in Sitio PNR. Rest assured, we will address concerns of the public as we are duty bound to enforce these laws of the government," Diaz said. (JTD)