Mayor okays changes in city's ‘first come, first served’ policy

By Gaby Keith         

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has approved  city ordinance no. 122, series of 2019, amending city ordinance no. 25, series of 1990, that made it mandatory in the Summer Capital to always follow the policy of “first come, first served” in all instances  when it is necessary and provided penalties for its violation.

Authored by councilor Joel Alangsab, the amended ordinance states that it is required that the policy of “first come, first served” be always followed in securing/buying of stamps at the post office or tickets in bus stations, movie houses, concerts, conventions and athletic competitions; paying tuition fees/dues in schools, taxes and other dues with any government office or bills in hospitals and institutions; securing permits for any examinations or clearances from government offices and the like; as well as in entering public utility vehicles.

The measure prohibits the following acts: Overtly or covertly enter a line at any position other than the end which may include joining others in the line or using any instrument or scheme to save a slot or space in a line; break up a line or employ devices and schemes to disrupt the order and cause confusion as to the order of persons in physical or virtual line;

It also prohibits the use of any physical force, threats, intimidation or influence by virtue of power, social status, prominence or reputation, employ devices, schemes and deceit in order to cut in, break up or disrupt the order of a line; knowingly giving consent to the foregoing act by allowing another person to insert, cut in, break up or disrupt the order of a line.

“Provided, however, that senior citizens defined under Republic Act No. 9994, persons with disabilities defined under Republic Act No. 7432, pregnant women, women with babies and persons who by reason of health, national security or public interest need immediate goods and/or services, are exempt from the provisions of the ordinance,” the measure states.

The amended ordinance states that notices of the policy on “first come, first served” shall be conspicuously posted at bus stations and jeepney terminals, concert and athletic competition venues, schools, movie houses, post office, other government offices and the like.

It states in all the mentioned instances, there is a signage or written notice posted at the premises of the goods or service provided indicating the existence and requiring the formation of a line.

Violators are meted a fine of P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000, second offense; and P5,000 for third and subsequent offenses.