TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez has ordered the rigid enforcement of City Ordinances re Anti-smoking,  Anti-Jaywalking and Anti-littering.

In a recent meeting, with  Traffic Operations Management, Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) and other City Government offices, Mayor Romualdez, gave instructions for the strict enforcement of local Ordinances; saying it will redound to a lot of good things for the City, including enticing potential business locators and investors.

The campaign will primarily focus on the rigid implementation of the following ordinances: Anti-Smoking, Anti-Jaywalking and Anti-littering, and other ‘neglected’ City Ordinances.

Recently,  the City Government gathered Barangay Officials, Task Force Volunteers, and several other groups enforcing City Ordinances to a  “reorientation” activity on the said ordinances.

During the said gathering, the Chief Executive reiterated that “…Tacloban City, being the only Highly Urbanized City (HUC) in the Region 8, should strictly implement its local Ordinances as in other big cities in the country.”

Enjoining the groups present  to actively support the campaign, the Mayor emphasized that, “Seryosohan ito…para ito sa ikakaganda ng Tacloban”  (this is serious…this is for the good of Tacloban).

The City Government has also disclosed  a plan for the stringent enforcement of the Truck Ban on certain hours of the day to minimize traffic in City thoroughfares.

The City Government has long enforced an Anti-Smoking Ordinance, which has a maximum penalty of 5,000.  On the other hand, the Anti-Littering Ordinance carries a maximum fine of 1,000 pesos or Community Service and/or imprisonment of not more six months; while the Anti-Jaywalking ordinance has maximum penalty of 500 pesos.–HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO