The city council on Monday approved Ordinance 149, s. 2020 granting exemptions to senior citizens and persons with disability from paying parking fees in Baguio, except overnight parking.
The ordinance has amended and expanded the provision of Ordinance 08, s. 2013, which grants 20 percent discount only to senior citizens, by exempting both the senior citizens and the PWDs from paying parking fees, subject to conditions.
It is in recognition to the contributions of senior citizens to local and national development, as well as for PWDs in consonance with the equal protection clause guaranteed by the Constitution.
Under the ordinance, all business establishments in Baguio that collect parking fees, whether operated by the government, barangay or private entities, are mandated to grant free parking to all senior citizens and PWDs.
Senior citizens are those who are at least 60 years old, while PWDs refer to any resident who has the long term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment.
To avail the parking privilege, senior citizens or PWDs must be the one driving the motor vehicle with their IDs or card duly issued by the city government.
The parking fee exemption shall apply only on the first two hours, and that corresponding hourly rate shall apply and be collected on the third hour, subject to 20 percent discount.
No fees shall be collected from the senior citizen or PWD in case of a flat rate policy, but the parking shall not exceed two hours. Any excess shall be charged with hourly rate, subject to 20 percent discount.
Any violation of the provision/s of the ordinance shall be filed with the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs or with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office which shall assist in the filing of the necessary complaints or charges.
Parking establishments found violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be penalized P1,000 on first offense; P1,500 on second offense; and P2,000 on third offense.
Meanwhile, the council through Ordinance 153, s. 2020 amended Ordinance 017, s. 1993, which grants exemptions to barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from payment of court, police, mayor, and fiscal clearance fees.
SK officials refer to SK chairperson, kagawads, secretaries, and treasurers.
The ordinance cites Section 16 of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act of 2015 that while SK kagawads and SK treasurers and secretaries are provided with privileges the same law lacks any provision granting them monetary remuneration.
In Ordinance 158, s. 2020, the council approved the temporary closure of Session Road to vehicular traffic in support of the micro, small, and medium enterprises market showcase today, Dec. 13.
In his letter request last Dec. 7 to the city council for a necessary measure of support to the activity, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that the MSMEs, which held its market showcase last Dec. 6 in partnership with Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera, has communicated their interest to continue on with the activity on Sunday.
In Resolution 642, s. 2020, the council commended the Highway Patrol Group-Cordillera for its effort in the serious implementation of the HPG Cares Loves You Program for vehicular road safety.
In the resolution, the HPG-Cordillera in partnership with the Regional Advisory Council and the Road Safety Marshall Association has already implemented its “HPG Cares Luvs U Project,” which aims to prevent road crashes in the region through strict implementation of road regulations and 10-point inspection for road worthiness.
The implementation focuses on checking of motor vehicles’ headlights, tail lights, left and right signal and hazard lights; brake/reverse; gauges; door handles and locks; horn mirrors; wipers and washers; tires and spare wheel nuts; basic tools; and early warning devices.
July 27, 2024
