Government vehicle driver booked for road obstruction
CEBU, Philippines — A driver of a government-owned vehicle was not able to escape from getting penalized for stopping at a "no stopping anytime" zone and at the same time obstructing a bike lane in Cebu City.
The ambulance driver was not able to make its red plate an excuse from being reported by the Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) personnel to the city's transportation office for citation.
"Ikatulo nana siya nga ambulance gidakop. Wala mi mo-issue ug citation kay wala paman mi ana. Ang amo, data gathering lang, kuha rami evidence nga naka-violate sila and ang CCTO nay bahala nila," said SBLB Executive Director Bernard Maraasin in an interview with The FREEMAN.
Maraasin said they have tried to be understanding to them, yet there are really drivers who abuse the use of red plates.
"Naghatag baya unta mi pabor sa mga red plates, but if blatant na kaayo, then daghan sila mag laray, just to be fair, maapil jud sila," Maraasin added.
This time around, the ambulance was parked in a no-stopping sign at the same time obstructing the bike lane around B. Rodriguez Street.
The SBLB, however, did not reveal from which LGU the ambulance came from.
"Nag-park siya sa no stopping anytime, nagpalandong, then nag-obstruct sa bike lanes," added Maraasin.
The driver of the said ambulance will have to settle one's violation at the CCTO.
Based on City Ordinance 2408, violators are penalized P500 for their first offense, P1000 on the second Offense, and P1500 for the third offense and jail time of not less than six months.
The SBLB has advised violators to settle their citations to avoid complications.
The SBLB Office, located at the ground floor of the Cebu City Sports Institute, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays.
"Sa mga driver nato sa pampublikong mga sakyanan, Ang atong mga Sugbo bike lanes wala gihimo para mahimong parking lot o stopping area. Kana gihimo para adunay maagian ang atong mga siklista," read an SBLB's reminder. (FREEMAN)
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