BAGUIO CITY – The City Council unanimously approved the enactment of the Fun Run Ordinance last September 19, 2016. The proposed law, initiated by Councilors Michael Lee Lawana and Peter Fianza, is intended to regulate the conduct of runs in the city.
The main provision of this law is the safety and security of participants through a mandate given to the City Sports Promotion and Development Council to monitor the conduct of foot race events and come up with a report on the attainment of the run’s objectives, including the receipt of benefits promised by organizers to the intended beneficiaries.
The law also defined the responsibilities of race organizers. They are now mandated to pay and fed volunteers, assistants and emergency response teams during fun runs and to ensure public convenience during the holding of the event.
Also contained in the ordinance is a proposal for the automatic cancellation of runs during inclement weather and the imposition of a bond by the organizer to the city government before a permit is issued.
The organizer is tasked to inform the Sports Development Office ahead of time of any cancellation. The bond is in response to the usually non-refundable regulatory fee imposed by organizers on their registrants. The bond will be returned to the organizer after compliance with the ordinance.
It will be recalled that the passage of this law was prompted by the refusal of an organizer to cancel a scheduled run despite the city being ravaged by a typhoon.
The City Council also made notable observations on the popularity of fun runs as a fund raising activity and temporarily closure of roads causing inconvenience to motorists.
The provisions of this law shall be implemented once Mayor Mauricio Domogan affixes his signature in approval of the ordinance.