THE Davao City Council approved on second reading an ordinance punishing and penalizing the act of leaving unattended bags in public places on Tuesday, July 4.
"The intention of the ordinance, shifted, it became a lot more stricter because before we only aim to penalize those who left their bags unattended and caused alarm, right now the new amended version, is whenever you leave your bags unattended whether it did not cause the alarm is prohibited and you will be penalized," Councilor Bernard Al-ag, proponent of the ordinance, said.
Some city councilors suggested to add provisions on information and education and amendments on penalties for the ordinance.
Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga and Davao City Councilor Elias Lopez jointly urged that an advocacy program should be implemented against leaving bags unattended in public areas.
"There will be continued intensified information education campaign throughout the jurisdiction of Davao City in tri-media, social media and other forms of media," Lopez said.
He added that this should be continuously done so that it will effectively inform Dabawenyos about the ordinance and shall be spearheaded by the Public Safety and Security Command Center.
Proponent of the ordinance, Committee on ordinances, laws, rules and privileges chair Bernard Al-ag said that they won't need to have an Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the ordinance since it is not comprehensive law.
Councilor Jimmy Dureza suggested that unattended bags should be destroyed after a week, which councilor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr. objected saying that the bags should be kept instead as an evidence and will be claimed by owners who will pay the fine.
Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado proposed penalties for leaving unattended bags in public - warning for the first offense and a payment of P100 administrative fine for the second offense, and P300 for third offense.
The second punishable act, which is leaving the bag unattended and will cause alarm and panic, shall be punishable with P1,000 fine for the first offense, P3,000 fine for the second offense, and P5,000 to one year imprisonment for the third offense.
The penalties were adapted and approved by the council. Davao City Councilor Bonifacio Militar said that the act of leaving bag is considered as a nuisance act as provided in the Civil Code, and it was stated there that remedies to address the nuisance are provided in a form of prosecution, local ordinance, civil action of damages and abetment. (KVC)