Carwash firms croaching sidewalks banned soon

CEBU, Philippines – The Mandaue City Council is set to approve on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring carwash operators not to extend their business to the sidewalks.

The proposal, authored by City Councillor Jimmy Lumapas who chairs the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, was supposed to be tackled in last Wednesday’s session but the council did not reach a quorum that day.

The proposal to prevent carwash operators from using the sidewalks came after it was noted that some of them are reportedly using these areas as extension to their business.

“It is worth noting that there is yet some of these carwash facilities which are extending their working areas in the adjacent sidewalks and foot walks. Unmindful to the plight of the pedestrians, this has been posing eminent threat to the lives of the pedestrians,” read the proposal.

Lumapas said  while the city welcomes the growing number of carwash businesses in the city, the use of sidewalks is still an “eyesore” in highly urbanized cities like Mandaue.

Also, the purpose of this proposed ordinance is to “curb illegal or colorum" operators of such business. Once  passed, carwash owners will be mandated to report their businesses to the City Hall and pay the corresponding taxes.

“As we utilize business opportunities, let it not be the very reason to cause life hazard to the general public. The city government is determined to embark on measures that promote common good and prevent those which are incognizant to public safety,” the resolution read.

The City Legal Office, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) and the Mandaue City Police Office will be in charge of this law once it is implemented.

As to penalties, violators will be reprimanded and warned on the first offense, fined P3,000 on the second offense, and permanent cancellation of the business permit and a fine of 5,000 will be slapped to the third offender.

The said proposal has been calendared for this Wednesday’s regular session. (FREEMAN)