By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod has approved for final reading the amendments to the anti-jaywalking provisions of the Bacolod City Traffic Code.
The amendments, which were introduced by Councilor Caesar Distrito, increases the penalties for jaywalking, or crossing streets outside designated lanes, from P100 to P300 or one day community service for first time offenders.
For second offense, violators will be fined P500 or a two-day community service; and the third and final offense will be P1,000 or a three-day community service.
Under the ordinance, violators will be allowed to choose if they will pay the fine or do the required community service.
The ordinance covers roads which have anti-jaywalking signs and pedestrian lanes.
Distrito said the ordinance aims to discipline the city’s residents and to prevent any road accidents involving pedestrian crossings./WDJ