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.