On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, Cebu City started going after violators of ordinances that prohibit smoking, spitting, urinating in public places, indiscriminate throwing of garbage, parking of motorcycles and cars in undesignated areas, especially in interior roads, among others, as part of a dry run.
I just hope it hasn’t taken on more than it can handle because, let’s face it, that’s a lot of ordinances that need to be implemented.
Then again, it will have the help of different government personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Hall and the barangays.
So perhaps Oplan Disiplina will be successful. Stranger things have happened.
Although, before setting out to fix the city’s image—because, let’s admit it, that’s what this is, sprucing up or primping or something to that effect, and, by the way, I’m pretty sure this has something to do with the mayor’s Singapore-like vision for the city—authorities should address what it said it would address earlier this year like the implementation of the curfew on minors.
Oh wait, that falls under Oplan Bulabog.
So does that mean the City will be sweeping this particular problem under the rug?
By the way, while I was writing this column, I came upon a report that authorities won’t make any arrests initially.
Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office, said they will just issue a warning to violators.
I find the move quite prudent, although to some it may look like someone has bitten more than it can chew.
Either way, it’s always better to give the public the heads up. That way they will have no excuse when they’re caught with their pants down.
Still, I think it’s hardly fair to apprehend someone relieving himself or herself in public if there is no public toilet. What about those people who live on the streets? Do you think private establishments like fastfood joints would let them in to use their facilities?
And why go after the shirtless?
We live in a hot and humid climate. Our ancestors wore next to nothing for a reason.
First of all, not everyone has the luxury of working in air-conditioned offices. Tell that to stevedores and other manual laborers.
Anyway, I think I’ve ranted enough for a Sunday.
I just hope this time around, the City will be serious about getting the job done because, frankly speaking, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard the rhetoric.