MANILA -- The Quezon City local government on Monday approved an ordinance imposing fines and community service penalties on city ordinance violators.
Authored by Councilors Ranulfo Ludovica and Godofredo Liban II, Ordinance No. SP-2752 provides for procedural enforcement of various ordinances by barangay public safety officers, Department of Public Order and Safety, Environmental Protection Officers, and the Quezon City Police District on city ordinance violations such as drinking of liquor in public spaces, being half-naked in public places, disregarding curfew hours for minors, smoking in public spaces, and others.
The new procedure exercises necessary, appropriate and incidental powers for the city's efficient and effective governance that are essential for the promotion of the general welfare of the Quezon City residents, the ordinance states.
“This ordinance also aims to maintain the peace and order in the city, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare for the benefit of the QC constituents,” the measure read.
Any person cited in violation of any of the ordinances shall be apprehended by the enforcing agencies, imposed fines and penalties, and be issued an ordinance violation receipt (OVR).
Fines paid by the violators will be equally distributed to the city government and barangays.
Any violator of the said ordinance may be allowed to pay the fine prior to the filing of a formal complaint before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
The ordinance provides that the violator must render community service if unable to pay the fine.
One to two days of community service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shall be imposed for first offense, two to three days of community service for the second offense, and three to four days of community service for the third offense.
Minors are exempted from the issuance of an OVR but shall be recorded as “child at risk” if their violation of the ordinance shall be brought to the attention of any barangay official until they are released under the guardian of their nearest relative.
If the guardians or nearest relatives refuse to take custody, the minors may be released to an organization, a barangay official, or a city Social Services and Development Department officer. (PNA)
