Mandaue bans ‘top load’, kapyot passengers

Mandaue City has started enforcing a new ban against passengers riding on the roof or clinging at the back of a jeepney or other vehicle.

The “anti-kapyot” and “anti-top load” ordinance applies to both private and public vehicles.

Drivers caught violating the ordinance will be fined P100 for the first offense, then P200 and P500 for the second and third offense.

On the fourth offense, a violator will serve jail time of 10 days to one month, and face cancellation of his driver’s license or franchise upon the fifth offense.

“The ordinance is to ensure the safety of passengers,” said City Councilor Elstone Dabon, who authored the “Road Discipline and Safety Ordinance.”

The ordinance was approved last Aug. 11 by the City Council.

It took effect after publication in local dailies for 10 consecutive days starting last Aug. 18.

Under the ordinance, adult passengers must give way to minor passengers.

The ordinance also mandates the City Engineer’s Office to ensure pedestrian safety by implementing measures like marking the pedestrian with white stripes visible during day or night.

Pedestrians are only allowed to walk on the sidewalks or the road shoulders especially when together with a child who must be in the inner portion of the sidewalk.

Motorists must stop when pedestrians are crossing the pedestrian lanes.

Traffic enforcers are also urged to assist children, elderly persons and those with disabilities in crossing the street.

The Mandaue City Traffic Board was asked to set up an action center to assist the implementation and enforcement of all transport and traffic laws. REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS