Jaywalking ordinance Resident: Spare studes from fine

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council is asking the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) to evaluate and to comment on a proposal of a city resident not to fine students who will be caught jaywalking.

 The Council also referred the proposal of Marissa Gonzales to its committee on budget and finance because heeding the proposal would mean lesser revenues for CITOM. 

The existing anti-jaywalking ordinance imposes a P50 fine on every violator. Those who cannot afford to pay the amount would be made to undergo civic duties.

CITOM Executive Officer Rafael Christopher Yap said they are open to alternative penalties.

“Open ra mi sa idea na naay alternatibo nga pamaagi para mo-penalize sa mga estudyante other than fine. Basta lang makat-on sila bahin sa jaywalking,” Yap said.

In her letter to Councilor Margarita Osmeña, Gonzales said she learned that some students only have P50 as pocket money, which makes it difficult for them to pay the fine should they be apprehended for jaywalking.

What reportedly happens is that the student begs to pay only P20 or P30, but unscrupulous traffic enforcers reportedly simply pocket the money.

Gonzales contended that traffic enforcers should have their presence felt and not hide in corners just so they can sneak behind those who violate the law.

“Kugihan kaayo moatang usahay magtago-tago pa dili lang g’yud mopatunga aron badlongon ang molabang. Usahay ila pa g’yud nga gukoron nga halos madagma na lang ang mga tawo,” she said.

Earlier, Councilor Ritchie Osmeña proposed to raise the fine to P5,000 to scare people.

But Yap opposed the proposal because most of those apprehended are students or those with very low salary who can barely pay for public transport. He said the penalty should be commensurate to the violation and it should be taken into consideration that the minimum wage is only P305 a day.     - THE FREEMAN