DESIGNATING sidewalks as parking areas is legal, as it is under a long-existing city ordinance.
This was pointed out by Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) Adviser Dennis Viaje, adding that the authority to designate parking areas lies in the jurisdiction of the local government unit (LGU), particularly the executive department, which does not stop formulating ways to accommodate the ever-growing number of vehicles in the city.
Speaking at the “Balitaan sa Harbor View” news forum hosted by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA), Viaje said that the city’s authority to designate parking spaces is contained in the very ordinance that created the MTPB.
“Ang pamahalaang-lungsod, iniisip kung paano maa-acommodate lahat dahil patuloy ang pagdami ng mga sasakyan pero ang mga kalye, di naman dumarami. ‘Yung mga bangketa na may naka-park na motor, may butas po sa gitna ‘yun kasi baka sabihin walang madaanan ang pedestrian. Kahit mas mataba sa akin makakadaan,” he explained in jest.
Liga ng mga Barangay President and Manila Councilor Lei Lacuna echoed Viaje’s statement, stressing that the LGU has the right to come up with ways to create parking areas.
“May mga barangay na puro iskinita, mayroong malapad so bawat chairman ay mayroong iba-ibang approach on how to deal with parking problems pero sinisigurado naming alinsunod sa batas,” she said.
For his part, Manila Rep. Joel Chua (3rd district), a lawyer and former majority leader of the Manila City Council, explained that the LGU has the power to regulate its streets, “diyan papasok ang ordinansa, ang police power of legislation which is the council, to state alin ang puwede at di pupuwedeng paradahan.”
Under the city ordinance providing for the MTPB’S functions, said the bureau may establish, operate, maintain and/or administer terminals, parking facilities, and bicycle paths, including collection or user fees thereto.
“As long as nasa ordinansa, ‘yan ay ibinibigay ng batas. Kung me gusto magtanong, pwede kwestiyunin pero dapat kuwestiyunin muna ‘yung ordinansa na nagbibigay -kapangyarihan sa siyudad para magbigay ng parking,” Chua stressed, in response to those questioning the city government’s authority to use sidewalks as parking areas. So, there!!!
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Brgy 722 lash out at PLDT; Internet not working for 3 weeks now
Residents of Barangay 722 in Malate, Manila are up in arms against PLDT for lack of internet connection for almost three weeks now, although the billing is continuous.
The residents, led by Carl Angelo Canlas, said that their ordeal began on March 6. He had been calling and following up with PLDT and had been assured by a certain John (09812069166) that the problem is being addressed.
Canlas deplored the fact that he needs the internet badly for his work and his mother runs an online business, both of which are paralyzed due to lack of internet service.
He also noted with dismay that when he visited the e-statement of their account under his aunt’s name (telephone number 027082320), there was even an overpayment or credit of 1,815 which is equivalent to their regular bill for a month and a half.
They also received text messages claiming that the internet connection in their area has been restored when in truth, it is not, Canlas said.
It was learned that even students and other work-from-home employees in the same area have the same complaints, adding that their internet service was suddenly gone without any forewarning or assurance when it will be’ truly’ restored.
Wala talagang kupas ang PLDT. Tsk!!
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Joke: (from Myrna Castro of Caloocan City)
A husband came home at 4 a.m. and found his wife in bed with another man
WIFE (shouting): Where have you been?
Husband: Who is that man?!?”
WIFE: Oy, grabe ka! Don’t change the topic!!!
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