Move regulating Kasambagan visitors at night turned down

The Cebu City Council rejected the plan of residents of barangay Kasambagan to regulate those who will enter the area at night by putting up checkpoints and gates at road entrances and exits of their place.

The intention of the Villa Aurora (Kasambagan) Residents Association already gained the support of the Kasambagan barangay council, which endorsed the plan to the City Council for further action.

Kasambagan barangay captain Jose Lim said the association is planning to put up checkpoint and metal gates to close the road from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Lim explained that the purpose of the association is to improve the maintenance of peace and order in its place.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the City Council committee on laws and ordinances, said the intention of the association is noble.

But Labella explained that any act that regulates an activity or conduct, such as the use of public streets, can only be done through legitimate means.

The closure and opening of roads as provided for under the Local Government Code will be done only during actual emergency, fiesta celebrations, public rallies, agricultural or industrial fairs, or an undertaking of public works and highways, telecommunications and waterworks projects.

But Labella said such closure can be done only after the approval of the council and the local chief executive.

“There is nothing in the law that justified or allows the temporary closure of public streets and prevents the public from free use of the same for the purpose of improving the peace and order situation,” Labella said. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM