THE Mandaue City Government reduced the P5,000 fine to P500 for first-time violators of the ordinance that prohibits the use of face covers by motorcycle riders within Mandaue.
This was among the amendments made on Ordinance 14-2017-1251, which the City Council passed on first reading yesterday.
After the Mandaue City Council received the mayor’s instruction to start the amendments and got an assessment from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, the council formed a technical working group (TWG) to change some provisions.
Officials from Team, City Legal Office, Mandaue City Police Office, and Councilors Nilo Seno and Carmelino Del Mar Jr. composed the TWG.
In an interview, Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said that in the draft amended ordinance, they already excluded tricycle drivers.
“We formed a TWG because the mayor has been receiving complaints. We are sensitive to the complaints of the people not just in Mandaue, but also those passing in Mandaue,” said Fortuna. He said all male drivers and male passengers of motorcycles may wear surgical masks but are not allowed to wear balaclavas, ski masks and any other mask.
Female drivers, passengers and minors can use a cloth face mask or surgical masks, but not balaclavas and ski masks.
Atty. Fortuna showed pictures of what face covers are allowed and what are prohibited during a press conference yesterday. A medical certificate is not needed if one wears a surgical mask.
“Those who were (previously) apprehended will pay only P500 (instead of P5,000),” said Fortuna.
For those who have paid P5,000, he said they will discuss this with the city treasurer and Commission on Audit for a possible refund.