Baguio battles vandals through new ordinance

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Baguio City has banned the carrying of aerosol spray or broad-tipped indelible marker, paint, marker, pen materials or instruments while near or within public or private property. This came last week after the city council approved the Anti-Graffiti Code. Before the passage of the code, the local government relied on a pre-World War II ordinance which penalized city those caught vandalizing walls with a P2 fine. The councilors said that with the proliferation of gangs, nothing is sacred anymore. They noted that even the statue of Rizal at Burnham Park was not spared. The code imposes restrictions on the accessibility of these graffiti implements by regulating the retail display of these implements to discourage theft and prohibiting the sale, giving out, exchanging, or loaning of these implements to minors. Penalties consist of fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and imprisonment from one to 10 days for the first offense; 11 to 20 days on second offense; and 21 to 30 days for third offense. In addition, violators will be made to render community service. They will also be responsible for the restoration of the damaged property or to reimburse the party. The code also provides that the city government may offer rewards for information leading to the identification and apprehension of vandals. Councilor Betty Lou Tabanda said that she once saw a youngster trying to spraypaint the gate of Botanical Garden. She apprehended the young boy and called the police. The boy was made to repaint the whole gate. - GMANews.TV