BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting kissing, petting, necking and lying down together in a scandalous manner in public view within the premises of the children’s park in Burnham Park and providing penalties for violations of the measure.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Joel Alangsab stated no lovers or couples will be allowed to do kissing, petting, necking and lying down together in a scandalous manner within the premises of children’s playground.
Under the proposed ordinance, any person found to have violated the pertinent provisions of the measure shall be fined the amount of P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense and P2,000 for third offense. If the violators are unable to pay the fines imposed on them, they may opt to render 8 hours of community service within the park.
The ordinance tasked the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to strictly enforce the pertinent provisions of the measure.
Section 458 of Republic Act (RA) 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code mandates the Sangguniang Panlungsod to regulate the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks and other public places.
Further, the local legislative body is empowered to enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants and in this connection shall enact ordinances intended to prevent, prostitution, establishments and maintenance of houses of ill-repute, gambling and other prohibited games of chance, fraudulent devices and ways to obtain money or property, drug addiction, maintenance of drug dens, and such other illegal activities inimical to the welfare and moral of the inhabitants of the city.
The ordinance noted that the children’s park, a portion of Burnham Park, is a fun-filled area for kids and a favourite family destination which is always frequented by residents and visitors alike.
Moreover, it is a place where families can bond with relatives and friends but it has been observed that lovers from all ages often choose the area as a dating site and do private intimate acts which are inappropriate for the children playing in the said area to see.
According to the proposed local legislative measure, kissing, petting, necking and lying together in a scandalous situation viewed by the public are acts inimical to the welfare and morals of the inhabitants of the city.
The ordinance stipulates it is important for people to observe utmost decency when visiting public places like parks, and the children’s park is considered a public place.
The local legislative body decided to refer the proposed ordinance to a committee for further study and recommendation for further action.
The ordinance defined petting as the act of sexually caressing and touching someone affectionately while necking is the fact of kissing and embracing passionately./Dexter A. See
