Yangot calls buskers to public hearing

COUNCILOR Leandro Yangot is calling on street performers to attend the public hearing for the busking law.

Yangot said all those who actively commented via social media should attend the hearing to air their

sentiments on the proposed law.

In the proposed measure, singers, musicians, mimes and fire dancers will now have to get permits before they can perform in public, standardizing the otherwise underground movement of performance.

Yangot said an artist group has approached him and suggested to identify a permanent busking area for artists.

Yangot added older buskers have also signified support to the new law saying it will legalize their operations and said the P350 annual fee in actuality is low.

Under the Yangot law, a designated area for performance will also be assigned to zone performers and create a space dedicated for them as well as the public to enjoy aiming to regulate “busking” or the act of performing in public places for gratuities.

When the new law is passed, a permit must be acquired by the performers at city hall with a corresponding fee of P350 good for the entire year.

“It is young buskers who do not want to pay the fees," Yangot said.

A Street Performance Committee is to be created to oversee buskers review performances for appropriate content before issuance of permits.

Yangot said the ordinance will be tackled for first reading after the city budget is approved and a public hearing will then be set to invite the artist sector for input.

"This is the chance to improve the draft measure and contribute insights,” added Yangot.