BAGUIO CITY –- To reinforce the “Accessibility Law” (Batas Pambansa 344), Baguio City Vice Mayor Edison Bilog proposed an ordinance prohibiting the parking of any motor vehicle in front of “curb cuts” or ramps marked “Persons with Disability” (PWD) access.
Bilog on Tuesday, October 4 said the term “curb cuts” refer to a small ramp built into the corner of a sidewalk to ease passage to the streets, especially for bicyclists, pedestrians with baby carriages and people using wheelchairs.
Bilog pointed out that any person found violating the provisions of the ordinance, if finally approved, shall pay a fine of PhP1,000 for the first offense, PhP2,000 for the second offense and PhP3,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) shall ensure the implementation of the ordinance while barangay officials will be tasked with overseeing that curb cuts within their respective jurisdictions are free from such violations.
Bilog said the curb cuts cannot be effectively and efficiently utilized for its designed purpose because motor vehicles are being parked in front of them, forcing people with mobility disabilities to endanger their lives and travel out into traffic in order to get on or off the sidewalks.
Citing Section 5, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution providing for the maintenance of peace and order, protection of life, liberty and property, and promotion of the general welfare, Bilog said there is a need to ensure the safety of those with disability in the use of portions of the sidewalks intended for their use, thus, the local government should start prohibiting the parking of motor vehicles in front of curb cuts or obstructing such road and sidewalk sections for safety purposes.
Bilog said the passage of the important legislation will give power to law enforcers to apprehend owners of illegally parked vehicles that endanger individuals with mobility problems when using sidewalks with accessibility features. Jojo Lamaria/PNA-northboundasia.com