By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)
Laoag City—As the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rages on, the Sangguniang Panlungsod
here approved an ordinance providing priority lanes for differently abled persons
(DAB), senior citizens (SC) and pregnant women in commercial establishments and
government facilities.
Laoag councilor Handy Lao said the ordinance aims to address
reports that DABs, SCs and PWs are the people most adversely affected by the
socio-economic situation; and they also encounter other barriers in entering
public and private facilities.
Mr. Lao, who authored the measure, stressed that these additional
“barriers” for the said groups just add more burden to them, especially in
these times.
He noted that “giving compassion and respect to these
marginalized sectors”, this should translate to giving them priority and express
lanes in entering aforementioned establishments and facilities.
Mr. Lao disclosed that establishments’ non-compliance with the ordinance’s
provisions face fines of not less than PHP1,000; not less than PHP2,000; and
not less than PHP3,000 plus cancellation or revocation of business permit to
operate for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.
He added that the public order and safety division, and the permits
and licensing division are the offices in charge of ensuring the implementation
of the ordinance.
The Ilocos Times learned
that several DAPs and SCs personally appeared at the Sangguniang Panlungsod
session hall during the discussion of the said ordinance and they were given
the chance to share their experiences, especially in this time of the “new
normal”.
According them, they are not still given the privilege despite of
the existing national laws requiring buildings and offices for the
establishment of priority/express lanes.
With this measure, they thanked the Sangguniang Panlungsod as
they expressed hopes that this will now be strictly implemented with pregnant women
included.
“Ngem adda met dagitay
dadduma nga opicina ken buildings a
mangsur-surot ngem mas kaadwan ngamin ket awan priority/express lanes para
kadakami ket marigatan kami nga agtatakder a nakapila aglalon atiddog unay tay
pila ket kakaasi kami nukwa,” said a person in a random interview.
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