Proposals for the benefit of PWDs and nighspot operators, filed

November 18, 2017 Opinion Sideglance

City Vice Mayor Edison Bilog and City Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. both submitted separate proposed measures intended to benefit Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and operators of establishments operating at night time.

In the first proposed ordinance Vice Mayor Bilog is recommending the allocation of an amount of P1,000 that will be used for the civil service examination review of PWDs in the City of Baguio thru the Civil Service Commission-Cordillera Administrative Region (CSC-CAR) in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

In pushing for the appropriation of the said amount, City Vice Mayor Bilog cited pertinent national laws such as Republic Act No. 10524 or, “An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for PWDs, which expanded employment opportunities for PWDs.

The Vice Mayor further explained in his proposal that the said law also provides equal employment opportunities that must be given to PWDs in the selection process based on qualification standards for appointment to a position in government as well as those requirements set by employers in private corporations. In this regard Vice Mayor Bilog stressed that there is a need to conduct Civil Service Examination reviews for PWDs in order for them to meet the eligibility requirements in government service and that furthermore there is also a necessity to allocate a certain amount such as what he is proposing which will be used for the conduct of the said review by the CSC-CAR in coordination with the CSWDO.

In another proposed measure, Councilor Yangot introduced an amendment to City Ordinance Numbered 88 series of 2009 entitled, “Further Amending Ordinance Numbered 1 series of 1990 [Amending Ordinance Numbered 25, series of 1987 entitled, “An Ordinance Codifying the Liquor Ordinances in the City of Baguio, and for other purposes]”.

As explained in his proposal Councilor Yangot noted the clamour of owners and operators of business establishments operating at night time for the revision of Ordinance Numbered 88, series of 1990 particularly the provision on the closing time of said establishments. In his proposal Councilor Yangot explained that through the years, the City of Baguio has become a favourite destination of both local and foreign tourists and that a large number of these visitors consider the city’s night establishments as one of their favourite destinations. It was further observed by Councilor Yangot that because of the provisions of the existing city ordinance codifying the liquor ordinances of the city, owners of these establishments are constrained to request their customers to leave because of the mandated closing time of the said local law, and which has affected the financial situation of these said establishments, considering the increase in taxes and fees as well as other operational expenses that they have to come up with.

In his proposed amendatory ordinance Councilor Yangot is seeking for the establishment of a uniform closing time for all night time establishments which will be at 2 a.m.