19/11/2019
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOU TO USE INCASE YOU ARE WRONGLY APPREHENDED.
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City Ordinance #49 series of 2019
THE ANTI DISTRACTED WALKING ORDINANCE OF BAGUIO CITY
I. How do you define Distracted walking?
A. Under the ADWO 2019, distracted walking is the act of doing a secondary task that lowers or restricts awareness of the surroundings because all or some attention and focus of the person is directed to one or more task other than walking. It is such that the sense of sight is blocked or affected when distracted.
II. What devices are included in this ordinance?
A: any device carried by an individual used for various functions such as mobile phones, tablets laptops, playing gadgets, "pads" and other analogous gadgets.
III. What other things are included?
A: reading materials.
IV. What acts are prohibited under this ordinance?
A: There are only 2 prohibited acts under this ordinance. Under section 4 of the ordinance you will be liable if you do the ff:
1. Use a "mobile device" either by texting or reading texts while crossing a pedestrian, crossing the street or while "traversing" a sidewalk which causes delay in the "mobility" of other pedestrians.
2. Reading "any reading material" while crossing the streets or walking in sidewalks.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Can I use my earphones and headphones while walking or crossing the street?
A1: Yes. It has been clarified that THE USE OF EARPHONES OR HEADPHONES IS NOT PROHIBITED. It is not included in section 4 of the said ordinance, thus it is exempted.
Q2: Can I text and use my cellphone if I position myself in a manner not to impede other pedestrians?
A2: Yes. The law only states that the prohibited acts are committed when the individual is either crossing or walking the street or a pedestrian that impairs the mobility of other pedestrians, or otherwise stated if you are blocking other people. If you position yourself in a manner not obstructive to others, then you SHOULD NOT BE APPREHENDED.
Q3: Can I answer a call while walking since my sense of sight is not blocked or affected?
A3: Yes. Under the provisions of the ordinance, this is not included among those expressly prohibited.
IV. What are the penalties in case you get caught?
A: under the city ordinance there are different levels of penalty depending on how many times you have been caught
1. First time - apprehension only.
2. 2nd time - 1000 pesos OR community service
3. 3rd time - 2000 pesos AND community service Or imprisonment of 1 to 10 days
4. 4th time - 2500 pesos AND community service OR imprisonment of 11 to 30 days.