City dad wants stricter rules on caroling

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City Councilor is proposing to prohibit caroling any time of the day in Cebu City outside the Christmas season without permit from the mayor.

Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe, Jr. wants to amend City Ordinance No. 268 or the ordinance declaring unlawful the act of caroling during the Christmas Season between the hours of 10pm to 7 am.

Pe specifically wants to add to Section 1, paragraph 4 the provision that caroling without the permit from the office of the mayor shall be considered unlawful if done outside the Christmas season, at any time of the day, especially along the streets and on board Public Utility Vehicles.

Pe also wants to add an eight-hour community service as penalty against those found violating the ordinance. At present, the penalty includes five days imprisonment and a fine of P500.

Pe said they have received reports about the increasing number of teenagers and children “crisscrossing” the streets and intersections and running on board PUVs to beg for alms after singing Christmas songs.

“In order to avoid future accidents and prevent immense pain it will bring to the children and their families, there is a need to regulate caroling per se,” Pe’s proposed ordinance reads.

Under the original ordinance, caroling outside the Christmas season is already prohibited if done without permit from the mayor’s office. The city has identified as the Christmas season the length of time from December 16 to the first week of January.

Two weeks ago, the City Council passed a resolution directing the Cebu City Police Office and the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) to apprehend PUJ carolers complained of by many commuters.

PUJ carolers are teenagers who board the PUJs, perform a rap then beg for alms. They often assure passengers that their intentions are clean, but some commuters still feel uneasy.

Parking fee exemption

Meanwhile, a separate ordinance is proposed seeking to exempt senior citizens and persons with disabilities from paying parking fees in malls, hospitals and other establishments.

Councilor Alvin Dizon proposed the ordinance to encourage the senior citizens and the PWDs to participate in economic activities, thus, broaden their participation in nation building.

Dizon said this is also a way to recognize their contributions to the economy by providing business opportunities to these establishments.

      The proposed ordinance seeks to give exemption to senior citizens and PWDs whether they are the drivers or the passengers.

They must present their government issued IDs for senior citizens and PWDs all the time. Violators shall be penalized accordingly. — (FREEMAN)