REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY \

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND REGULAR SESSION

He.no_ 4986

Introduced by HON. AL FRANCIS C. BICHARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to penalize certain wrongful acts in the use of sidewalks and public
roads which are meant for the use and enjoyment of the general public for the purpose for
which they were built

It is of no secret that urban areas have become so congested that people tend to
disregard order and do some things convenient to them which on a bigger scale contribute
to disorder and chaos.

Small businesses have used and occupied our sidewalks leaving pedestrians with
no choice but to walk by the roadside, thus exposing them to greater risks of bodily injury
and even death,

Residents who do not have parking spaces in their houses use the streets for their
parking lots. Business establishments which do not have ample parking spaces use the
roads as parking lots for their own vehicles as well as their clients’, thereby clogging the
already narrow roads and impeding the free flow of traffic. Adding to the already chaotic
situation is the proliferation of public utility terminals. Our roads are not built for such
purposes and the taxpayers have all the right to complain.

It is a fact that traffic congestion in urban areas result to economic losses
amounting to billions of pesos yearly. Should these road obstructions be cleared, traffic

flow will ease and a more robust economy will result.

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is requested

Mn,
AL FRANCIS C. BICHARA
2™ District, Albay


‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HB.No._ 4986

Introduced by HON. AL FRANCIS C. BICHARA

AN ACT PENALIZING THE WRONGFUL USE OF SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC ROADS

Section 1.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

Section 6.

Approved.

IN ALL URBAN AREAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
This Act shall be known as the “Sidewalk and Road Use Act”

Definition of terms.

“Public road” means all roads built using taxpayers’ money and built for
vehicular traffic.

“Sidewalk” means all sidewalks built using taxpayers’ money, adjacent to
public roads and built for pedestrian traffic.

“Proper authority” means the Local Government Unit or the MMDA.

Without permit from the proper authorities, it shall be unlawful to use public
roads for parking, business, public utility terminals and any other activity that
tend to impede the free flow of traffic. Only temporary activities may be
issued permits for the use of public roads. In no case shall public roads be
designated by the local government units or any government agency as
parking spaces and/or terminals for public utility vehicles, whether for free or
for a fee

It shall likewise be unlawful for anyone to build any edifice, stall and other
similar structures, put up any business and other forms of obstruction, leave
garbage and other junk materials, engage in ambulant vending, and other
acts that tend to impede or obstruct the use of sidewalks which are meant to
service pedestrians. Special permits may be issued by the proper
authorities for the temporary use of sidewalks for entertainment and leisure.
In no case shall permits be issued allowing the use of sidewalks to conduct
business such as but not limited to vulcanizing shops, repair shops, parking
spaces, eateries, advertisement spaces, and other similar activities.

The penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act shall be a fine
ranging from Five-Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to Ten Thousand Pesos
(P10,000.00), confiscation of the obstructions and the impounding of
vehicles by the proper authority.

This Act shall take effect Fifteen days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of General Circulation.