The ordinance seeking to implement regulations at the city’s public plazas passed the Iloilo City Council during their regular session yesterday. Iloilo City Councilor Jay Treñas, who penned the ordinance, said, “The new measure aims to protect and conserve the natural, aesthetic, and historical values of all public plazas of the city for the benefit of the current and future generations.”
With its passage, the policy dictates that all public plazas can solely be used for community assemblies to promote community participation and social interaction; along with serving as a venue for learning and leisure; and as a means to promote sports and cultural activities, environmental awareness, healthy lifestyle, and public safety.
With regard to operating hours, the policy noted public plaza will be allowed to be used between 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight; however, for minors, the hours are from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The city councilor pointed out, the time frame is in line with Regulation Ordinance No. 2016-230.
The ordinance also requires that all events, such as assemblies, campaigns, drills, trainings, demonstrations, exhibits, and shows, must acquire a permit from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
In addition, after Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas earlier barred fiesta fairs from the city’s public plazas and noted ‘ukay-ukay,’ or second-hand clothing retailers, among other such activity, is also prohibited during fiestas, the ordinance allows for trade fairs provided they are confined to designated areas and are limited to no more than three days.
Meanwhile, other disallowed items or activity include cooking and washing within the plaza unless the individual cooking has a permit, alcoholic beverages, gambling and other acts “against public order,” and operating bicycles and motorized vehicles inside plaza premises.
The ordinance will take effect on March 1, 2020./WDJ