Jaywalkers beware: Court-imposed fine of P1,000 proposed

CEBU, Philippines - There is a move to increase the administrative fines for those who do not follow the traffic signs in crossing Cebu City’s streets.

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

The compromise penalty of P50 for each violator would be increased to P200.

Councilor Osmeña, who chairs the City Council’s committee on traffic management, believes this will discourage the public from committing violations.

“A higher penalty and administrative fine would certainly discourage people from violating anti-jaywalking ordinances. If people are complying with the anti-jaywalking ordinances, then commuters, pedestrians, drivers of vehicles and all persons using the roads will be spared from untoward accidents,” Osmeña said.

He added that the non-observance by the pedestrians of the traffic rules and regulations contribute to traffic congestion.

Osmeña said that to restore order in our city streets and ensure smooth flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, traffic rules should be strictly enforced.

With the current P50-compromise penalty for violators, many people just disregard the red traffic sign telling them not to cross the street just yet.

But a commuter thinks increasing the penalty may not be the only solution to the problem.

Roque Carreon of barangay Labangon reacted said authorities should implement the ordinance all over the city and not just at the downtown area.

“Kon ang anti-jaywalking ordinance ipatuman lang nila kanunay sa tibuok siyudad maleksyon ang katawhan, unsaon dia ra man sab sa downtown area unya dili usab pirmi.” (They don’t implement it city-wide. They impose it only at the downtown area, and they don’t even implement it regularly.) — (FREEMAN)