Pasay public utility drivers warned

Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and barkers in Pasay beware: An ordinance that penalizes drivers of public utility vehicles and barkers using the city’s major thoroughfares for soliciting and unloading of passengers was approved by Pasay Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad yesterday.

Under Ordinance No. 3006, drivers of all public utility vehicles, public utility buses, taxicabs, mega taxis and other similar vehicles and barkers are prohibited from using major roads in the city as terminals for soliciting and unloading of passengers.

Trinidad said that drivers found violating the new law would be fined P1,000 or penalized with one-month imprisonment or both upon the discretion of the court. Barkers found in cahoots or supporting said violation would be fined P500.

"We are at a critical stage in clearing barriers to ease traffic problems in the city and for a start, we hope that this new law would help our traffic agents enforce traffic rules efficiently," the mayor said.

Trinidad observed that traffic problems emanate from lack of proper traffic laws in the city, thus, he approved Ordinance No. 3006.

"We have to put more teeth in our laws as part of disciplining hard-headed drivers and barkers. I will see to it that violators will be penalized. Walang palakasan dito," the mayor added.

The new ordinance takes effect immediately upon publication of the approved ordinance in widely-circulated newspapers.