City government eyes fraternities against street graffiti

CEBU - In its drive to make the city graffiti-free, the Cebu City Government is planning to tap the help of the various fraternity groups to get rid of the unwanted writings on the walls of the buildings and on the roads.

Acting City Mayor Michael Rama is planning to meet with the leaders of the various fraternities to solicit their help to stop the illegal activities of some of their members who are responsible for the ugly sight.

Rama said he will also ask the fraternities to do public service by helping the city in cleaning the walls beside the roads.

With this, the acting mayor is planning to ask the help of some paint manufacturers to provide the city some of their products to be used in getting rid of the unwanted wall markings.

Tanods from different barangays, particularly those situated in the rural areas, have been encouraged by Rama to enforce the law that penalizes the vandals.

But some tanods, however, claimed they were discouraged to apprehend the youths because they could not be held criminally.

Republic Act 9344 provides that once a minor is arrested for committing a crime, he will just be turned over to his parents or to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

But Rama said law enforcers should not be discouraged.

Councilor Richard Osmeña has earlier proposed an ordinance that those persons who will be apprehended for making the public roads and other public places dirty may no longer be criminally charged in court if they agree to perform community service as their alternative penalty for violating the law.

The penalty against violators of the existing ordinance is fine of P5,000 or one year imprisonment, or both depending on the discretion of the court.

But Councilor Osmeña had recommended that instead of filing a criminal complaint against the violators, it would be better if they will just be required to render civic duties such as cleaning the public areas. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)