By Zaldy Comanda
BAGUIO CITY – An ordinance was approved on first reading prohibiting golf carts from plying any public road or street in the city and providing penalties for violation of the measure.
Session Road (WIKIPEDIA / MANILA BULLETIN)
City Councilor Joel Alangsab, who authored the ordinance, said it shall be a policy of the city government to ban or prohibit golf carts from plying any public road or street in the city except when crossing or traversing a public road or street going to another portion of the golf course area; during international or local tournaments by the city, provided that, a permit has been secured ad when authorized by law or ordinance.
The ordinance tasked the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the Traffic Management Unit of the local government, the City Permits and Licensing Division under the City Mayor’s Office and the barangay concerned to implement the pertinent provisions of the proposed measure.
Under the proposed ordinance, the penalties will be imposed on any person or persons-in-charge who knowingly allow, abate, authorize or tolerate the prohibited acts, or who otherwise fails to full the duties and obligations of the measure shall be penalized with a fine of P2,000 or imprisonment of not more than 1 month but not less than 20 days or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the first offense; a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 months but not less than 1 month or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months but not more than 3 months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third offense.
For persons-in-charge who knowingly allow, abate, authorize or tolerate the prohibited acts or who otherwise fails to full the duties and obligations contained in the proposed measure shall be penalized with a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 months but not less than 1 month or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the first offense; a fine of P4,000 or imprisonment of not more than 4 months but not less than 3 months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 plus revocation of business permit if applicable or imprisonment of not more than 6 months but not less than 4 months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third offense.