Driving lessons ban on all roads in sports complex proposed

The Puerto Princesa City government will soon ban “driving lessons” on all roads within the vicinity of the Ramon V. Mitra ( RVM) Sports Complex and Balayong Nature Park in Barangay Sta. Monica. This after an ordinance authored by Councilor Gregorio Ventura proposing the ban passed the second reading at the City Council on Monday. Ventura told Palawan News during the regular session that the measure aims to ensure the safety and convenience of those who are using the sports complex facilities. He said all roads within the RVM Sports Complex and the entire Balayong Nature Park must be “hassle- free, danger- free, friendly and safe to all road users, as well as to those who are using the sports facilities.” “Pinagbabawal natin na gamitin ng mga meron busi- ness ng driving lessons dahil delikado kasi bago palang natututo ‘ yong kanilang mga tinuturuan… [ para] sa seguridad, dahil hindi pa mga professional drivers ‘ yong tinuturuan diyan, delikado. [ Para] sa protection ng mga nag- i- exercise diyan, ng mga lumalakad, ng mga nagbi- bisikleta. Ito ay ginagawa natin para sa protection ng mga gumagamit ng ating Sports Complex [ at] ‘ yong ating Balayong Nature Park sa city,” said Ventura. The draft ordinance prohibits not only the driving schools to conduct driving lessons within the jurisdiction, but also “other similar activities” about trainingto- drive. Ventura also mentioned it was the City Sports Office that requested for the ordinance after observing that driving schools use the sports complex as a training area. Atty. Rocky Austria, city sports director, in a separate interview said his office is now looking forward to the approval of the City Council on the third and final reading of the ordinance. Austria also stated the vicinity, most especially within the jurisdiction of the sports facility, are catering to a hundred or more people daily. “Ito ‘ yong offshoot nong ordinance na ito, dahil nangangamba kami na ‘ yong hindi pa marunong mag- drive lalo na diyan sa pataas, ‘ yon ‘ yong pinagpa- praktisan nila na matutong mag- balance siguro ng accelerator pati ng break, sa mga ganoong pataas. Ay ang daming bata diyan na tumatawid. Andaming bata diyan na pumupunta dito sa pool. Nakita namin ‘ yong danger. For the safety of our constituents, of our athletes, of our children, huwag nila itong pag- praktisan,” said Austria. The proposed penalty for the violation of the ordinance is P2,000 to P5,000 or seven to 30 days of imprisonment depending upon the discretion of the court.