Lawmaker wants to regulate use of sidewalks

By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated December 19, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seeking to regulate the use of sidewalks for commercial and advertising purposes to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and provide for the safe and convenient movement of goods and people.

Arroyo filed House Bill 1217, co-authored with her son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, which seeks to prohibit the use of streets for the display and sale of goods and commercial and advertising purposes.

She said the occupation and use by private individuals of sidewalks and other public places devoted to public use constitute a public nuisance.

“Adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe and convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers and similar instruments,” she said.

Under the bill, people are prohibited to use streets, sidewalks, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks and other public places for selling food, magazines, newspapers, cigarettes, brooms, watches or jewelry, shoes, and other items.

The bill also prohibits the use of public places by shoe-shine boys; for washing or hanging clothes; for bathing; as a garage or workshop; garbage dump; picket fence installation; or as a basketball court.

Arroyo also wants people banned from using sidewalks as animal pens or for keeping animals in chains; storage for soft drinks, wines or liquor bottles and cases; storage for construction materials; for drinking sessions, picnics or holding gatherings.

Under the measure, authorities shall only grant permits for temporary use of sidewalks for community-wide special occasions or for sales promotion days and for civic or charitable purposes.

Violators face a fine of P1,000 and 30 days’ imprisonment. Any permit issued shall be revoked and violators cannot get a new permit for 12 months after their conviction.