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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Tuesday, May 2, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Will heftier fines finally discourage pedestrians from jaywalking?
Councilor Caesar Distrito is proposing that the fines be increased to between P300 and P1,000.
He believes higher monetary penalties will compel locals and visitors to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations.
Distrito proposed an ordinance setting the higher fines. The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the measure on second reading on April 26.
Currently jaywalking comes with a fine of P100 on first offense, P200 on second offense, and P300 on third offense.
Those who cannot pay the fine shall render community service, said Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) head Luisito Acebuche.
Jaywalking is outlawed under City Ordinance (CO) No. 338, which the BTAO started strictly enforcing on April 3.
CO No. 338, or the Comprehensive Traffic Management and Regulation Ordinance of 2003, regulates traffic, parking, towing, and other transporting or commuting activities on the streets of Bacolod.
Distrito’s proposal practically amends CO No. 338.
It seeks a P300 fine or a one-day community service on first offense, P500 fine or two-day community service on second offense, and P1,000 fine or three-day community service on third offense.
The “one-day” community service shall be fixed at eight hours — like a regular shift for most employees — Distrito said.
Minors caught jaywalking shall be covered by the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, stressed the councilor.
While they may render community service, the tasks that will be given to them must suit their age, said Distrito.
Distrito acknowledged that not all streets all over the city need to be covered by the anti-jaywalking measure.
The proposed ordinance requires the BTAO to create pedestrian lanes and put up warnings.
Pedestrians cannot be arrested or fined for jaywalking “if a certain street has no warning or information and no pedestrian lane,” Distrito said, adding that barangay roads will most likely be exempted.
BTAO enforcers have arrested around 1,415 jaywalkers since April 3, records showed.
Around 146 have rendered community service at the BTAO, said Acebuche.
For the city government, higher jaywalking fines mean higher collections through the City Treasurer’s Office.
Under the proposed ordinance, 50 percent of the collected fines shall go to a “trust fund” that will be used to buy equipment, vehicles and safety gears for the BTAO and for the insurance and personal incentives/privileges of its enforcers.
“If you do not want to pay a fine or render community service, use the pedestrian lane,” Distrito stressed./PN
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