By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga and Jen Baylon
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will assist the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) in targeting individuals vandalizing traffic signage in the city.
BCPO director Colonel Noel Aliño said vandalizing traffic signage is dangerous and could cause unsafe driving for motorists, resulting in accidents.
“The road signs were installed to keep both motorists and pedestrians safe,” Aliño said.
He added that they are willing to assist BTAO, but they should not be the only ones onboard in targeting vandals.
Aliño said the Department of Public Works and Highways should also do their part as they have the responsibility of installing and maintaining road signage.
The BCPO director said they will create a program to arrest individuals who vandalize or steal road signs in the city.
Aliño said they will also review the existing city ordinance against vandalism to see if amendments are needed.
Earlier, BTAO head Patrick Lacson said he will seek BCPO’s assistance against road sign vandals.
Under City Ordinance No. 8-14-679, series of 2014, or an ordinance prohibiting acts of vandalism, violators will be fined up to P3,000 and/or face three- to six-month jail time for the first offense.
Penalties of up to P5,000 fine and/or jail time of six months, but not more than one year, will be imposed against violators for the second and succeeding offenses.
Most violators of the city ordinance are minors.
Tow-away zones
Meanwhile, BTAO has started the painting of sidewalk gutters as tow-away zones to regulate traffic congestion in the city.
BTAO head Patrick Lacson said Bacolod has an existing local ordinance to regulate parking zones on main roads or areas near public establishments.
The painting of sidewalk gutters started on Lacson Street last Wednesday, March 13.
The red markings will indicate no parking for 24 hours, seven days a week, while yellow markings signify that parking will be allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lacson said BTAO will collaborate with the City Engineer’s Office for the identification of tow-away zones across the city.
He added that tow-away zones will aim to address traffic congestion caused by indiscriminate parking.
By clearly demarcating these zones, motorists will be reminded of the regulations to maintain smooth traffic flow.
Furthermore, the implementation of tow-away zones serves as a proactive measure to ensure compliance with parking rules and regulations.
Violators will be subjected to fines, he said./DGB, JB, WDJ