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Council retains motorcycle ban in the CBD

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 16)— The city council last Monday retained the motorcycle ban along major roads in the city when it adopted the recommendation of its committee on laws to archive the proposed ordinance of Councilor Perlita Rondez for the repeal of a 1934 measure.

Ordinance 500 series of 1934 banned two-wheeled vehicles along Session Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Gen. Luna Road and Harrison Road.

The council made the decision despite the appeal of various motorcycle and scooter groups to lift the prohibition citing the advantages of using smaller modes of transportation to the traffic situation of the city.

The committee chaired by Councilor Elmer Datuin based its recommendation on the findings of the city police during the 30-day traffic experiment conducted last May, which allowed the said mode of transportation within the central business district. The experiment was based on Resolution No. 136-2005 passed to determine whether to repeal the outdated ordinance.

The traffic management branch of the city police, in its report to the Traffic and Transportation Management Committee said there was a notable increase in traffic accidents involving motorcycles during the experimental period.

In a report submitted by P/Insp. Samuel Bumangil of the traffic division to Traffic and Transportation Management Committee on July 21, he said that allowing motorcycles into the major roads entails greater risks to both motorists and pedestrians. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Council asks LTFRB: reconsider student discount

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 16) — The city council will ask the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to restore the grant of a 20 percent fare discount to students during Saturdays and Sundays.

The body last Monday approved the resolution authored by Councilors Leandro Yangot Jr., Leonardo Bayan Jr. and Rocky Thomas Balisong requesting the LTFRB to reconsider its Memorandum Circular No. 14 removing the grant of said privilege for students during weekends, summer breaks and holidays.

The proponents said that while the said LTFRB circular intended to benefit the drivers and operators of vehicles, it has compromised the plight of students especially since they are also required to report to schools during weekends to attend the National Service Training Program or the Citizens Army Training for colleges and the Community Service for the high school students.

The students also undertake their researches and study groups during the weekends, the proponents reasoned.

“The 20 percent cut in fares given to students during Saturdays and Sundays would eventually minimize the expenses of parents and guardians, the proponents said. They added this “therefore, would aid them to cope with the hard times especially now that prices of school supplies and books have gone up to a tremendous level, not to mention the yearly increases in tuition fees. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Council wants deeper probe into franchise mess

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 16) — The city council last Monday asked its committee on public utilities to conduct a deeper probe into the proliferation of public utility vehicle (PUV) franchises in the city and on the effectiveness of the moratorium on the issuance of said franchises.

Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia said the effect of the uncontrolled proliferation of PUVs to the traffic situation and the environment has become so serious that the city needs to unearth its root cause and employ remedial measures.

To pursue the investigation, the council would need data to work on particularly a complete list of existing franchises for the PUVs to serve as basis in identifying the illegal ones.

According to Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong, head of the investigating committee, Dept. of Transportation and Communication Regional Director Alfredo Mondiguing has yet to submit the list of franchises registered with the DOTC and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Balisong said Mondiguing himself revealed during the meeting that there are only 3,500 taxi units with legal franchises in the city. The rest have bogus franchises either colorum, vehicles-for-hire or are operating outside their designated routes.

Councilor Jose Molintas, for his part, suggested that the city study the possibility of lifting the LTFRB moratorium considering that it appeared not to be serving its purpose. He said that in place of the moratorium, the city should instead impose more stringent measures to establish the standards that it wants. He cited the strict implementation of the law scrapping FX taxi units and other related laws.

Meanwhile, the body referred to its committee on laws Resolution No. 217 series of 2005 approving the legalization of garage franchises of six transport associations, which Mayor Braulio Yaranon vetoed. # Aileen P. Refuerzo

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Yaranon orders Jadewell to stop clamping vehicles

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 16) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon last week reiterated an earlier order for the city police to stop Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation from immobilizing vehicles for violation of the pay parking ordinance. He said Jadewell personnel “have no authority whatsoever to immobilize, detain and take vehicles of private motorists using public roads.”

“Your office is further directed to impound the clamping devices and tow trucks used in the aforesaid illegal activities,” the mayor stressed.

The order issued last Sept. 12 stated that “It is clear from the immobilization notice and tools of enforcement notice that Jadewell and its personnel has and is assuming the quadruple role of traffic law enforcer, city prosecutor, municipal trial court judge and city treasurer by declaring that a motorist has contravened the provisions of Traffic Ordinance 003-2000 and imposing and collecting the fines and penalties provided thereunder”.

In his old order, the mayor asked the police to file appropriate criminal charges against said personnel who would insist on clamping and towing activities. The mayor said the order is in support of the mayor’s Executive Order No. 001 which asked the public to refuse to submit to the pay parking rule.# Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Dads ok replacement of mosaic artwork

BAGUIO CITY – The city council last Monday gave the go signal for the removal and replacement of the mosaic tile patchworks on sidewalks along Session Road. The body appropriated P518,200 for the repair based on the program of work prepared by the city engineer’s office.

Councilor Antonio Tabora Jr. who heads the council committee on public works said the repair work was based on the recommendation of the Baguio City District Engineering Office to remove and replace the patchworks to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

He said the cemented tiles depicting images in mosaic design would be scraped off and replaced with pebble wash to patch the broken coverings of the sidewalk pavement. Mayor Braulio Yaranon has earlier asked the city engineer’s office to recommend remedies to make the sidewalks safe without spending huge amount.

The city engineering district of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways had earlier recommended the removal of the slippery tiles to avoid accidents after an elderly woman allegedly died after slipping on one of the tile patchworks. The district has requested P1.5 million from the city to undertake the removal of the tiles and the improvement of the sidewalk.

The tiles, which depict artistic images in mosaic design, were installed by the artists’ group to patch the broken coverings of the sidewalk pavement, as part of the beautification program for Session Road during the Panagbenga festival last February. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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