Sembrano pushes for street event law

PROTOCOL for public gatherings is being sought by Baguio City Councilor Elaine Sembrano

"When vehicles are stalled in the Central Business District due to the closure of roads for the conduct of parades, motorcades and other related street activities, traffic flow is greatly affected," Sembrano said.

The proposed measure aims to regulate the use of streets and roads when there are parades, motorcades, fun runs and rallies in an attempt to ease congestion.

If the ordinance is passed, application permits for street events will be put into q standard with specific guidelines.

Motorcades will be limited to a maximum of five 4 - wheeled vehicle participants and will ban the use of motorcycles.

Guidelines for parades and rallies will also ban child participants under seven (7) years of old and should not last more two hours duration of parade except for the

major activities of the City wherein there is suspension of classes.

The new law also proposes no vehicles of participants will be allowed in the parade.

For fun run events, if there is no clear juscity tification for the type of fund raising, no issuance of permit will be given.

Organizers will also be mandated to issue a one week prior Notice to the Public on the details of the schedule, roads/streets, number of participants to be used with signages to be installed to forewarn motorists and the general public.

The lady councilor cited the Local Government Code stating the city council can regulate the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks and other public places.

The new law will be tackled next week.