P1,000 fine for jaywalkers approved

CEBU, Philippines - The proposal to upgrade the penalties and administrative fines for jaywalkers got the green light from the committee on traffic and the committee on ordinance of the Cebu City Council.

From P500, City Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña is proposing an amendment to City Ordinance 1514 or the Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance by increasing the penalty to P1,000 if the violator chooses to resolve the case in court.

The compromise penalty of P50 for each violator will be increased to P200. In a report from the two committees, the increase in penalties is deemed necessary.

City councilors Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, the vice chairman of the committee on traffic, and Edgardo Labella, the chairman of the committee on ordinances, however, recommended that a public hearing should be conducted first in order to hear public opinion.

“Maintaining discipline on the road for both passengers and drivers is easier said than done,” Wenceslao said, adding that there is a need to strictly implement traffic laws in order to maintain order and road safety.

Wenceslao said that it has been more than 10 years since the P500 penalty was last upgraded.

Labella also said that it is within the power of the city council to enact the law by regulating the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, and bridges.

Osmeña said that higher penalty and administrative fine is certain to discourage people from violating anti-jaywalking ordinances.

“If people are complying with the anti-jaywalking ordinance, then commuters, pedestrians, drivers of vehicles and all persons using the roads will be spared from untoward accidents,” Osmeña said.

With the current P50 compromise penalty for violators, many people just disregard traffic signs telling them not to cross the street just yet. —/BRP (FREEMAN)