BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading the proposed honesty ordinance of the city to entice more people to practice the said virtue.
The ordinance authored by Councilors Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. and Levy Lloyd Orcales stated residents officially commended by the local legislative body for their acts or deeds of honesty shall automatically be given P5,000 as monetary reward, thus, in order for a citizen to be given the said reward, a council resolution of commendation or appreciation is necessary to claim the same.
The ordinance mandated the appropriation of P1 included in the annual budget of the local government to provide the funds for the cash reward to be given to residents who will be officially recognized by the local legislative body.
The City Human Resource and Management Office was tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the successful implementation of the proposed local legislative measure.
The proponents claimed Baguio city has been always known for the honesty of most of the residents and many times over, the local government honoured honest taxicab and jeepney drivers, security guards, janitors or utility personnel, among others, for returning lost and found valuables and cash to the owners.
As a gesture of appreciation, the local government previously awarded to the honest residents a city council resolution during the regular Monday flag raising ceremony being conducted at the city hall grounds.
The ordinance pointed out that to encourage more of the residents to practice honesty, it is but appropriate to award honest citizens monetary awards aside from the resolution of commendation or appreciation passed by the local legislative body for the said purpose.
The proponents pointed out that the monetary reward shall serve as a token of appreciation of the local government for their exemplary deed and act worthy of emulation by other residents.
According to the proponents, honesty is an important virtue of individuals that reflects their upbringing of becoming responsible citizens of the city and it is important for the city government to sustain the recognition it is giving honest residents as an inspiration and motivation for other people to emulate such good deeds.
The proponents also encouraged the public to always take care of their valuables when going out of their residences to avoid losses while outside as there are still people who are tempted to keep found items instead of willingly returning the same to the rightful owners.
The proposal was referred to the concerned committee of the local legislative body for study and action.
By Dexter A. See
Banner photo by: Meryl Perez