August 11, 2014, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 23, amending section 85 (h), Article I of Chapter VI (Penalties for Colorum Tricycles for Hire) of Ordinance No. 27, Series of 2005 otherwise known as the Transportation and Traffic Code of Vigan City as amended. Authored by Councilor Juan Carlo S. Medina, this ordinance increased the penalties for apprehended colorum tricycles for hire to P5,000.00 and P2,000.00 for the driver. Councilor Medina explained that this ordinance hopes to eliminate colorum tricycles for hire plying the City thus increasing the security of the riding public.
Still on August 11, Ordinance No. 24 entitled “An Ordinance prohibiting the use of hand held electronic devices while driving a vehicle within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Vigan” was approved. Authored again by Councilor Medina, the ordinance hopes to prevent road mishaps due to the use of hand held devices while driving. As revealed by the PNP Highway Patrol Group, the use of cellphone while driving has always been at the bottom list of road accident data, but since 2007 the number of road accidents caused by cellphones has risen. Those caught using hand held devices while driving will be penalized with P200 pesos or 8 hours community service for their 1st offense, P500 for 2nd and P1000 for 3rd offenses.
On August 18, 2014, Ordinance No. 25 entitled, An Ordinance prohibiting the drinking of alcoholic beverages in public streets, sidewalks and public parks in the City of Vigan was approved. The ordinance which was authored by Councilor Joy Benette Orio aims to promote the maintenance of peace and order and the protection of life and property by regulating drinking of alcoholic beverages in public places. Violators of the ordinance will be penalized with P200.00 or 8 hours of community service for 1st offense, 1,000 for 2nd and 5,000 pesos for 3rd offenses.// roxannevillanueva