AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MEASURES FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION, DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK AND PLAZA IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROXAS, ORIENTAL MINDORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Municipality of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro has now a park and plaza located in front of the Municipal Hall, wherein people can rest, enjoy and relax together with their families after a day of tedious activities at home or at work. The park and plaza has amenities for recreation, especially for children, therefore it is important that the Sangguniang Bayan shall adopt measures in order to ascertain that the park and plaza is far from destruction and shall be utilized for the purpose it was established for.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN THAT:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY.

A) The municipality recognizes that the Park and Plaza will serve as a venue for family recreation, as well as a place for community gathering, and as such shall promulgate measures for their maximum benefit.

B) The municipality needs to improve the Park and Plaza and provide measures for their management, development and beautification.

C) The private institution, non-government organizations, community organizations shall be encouraged to be involved in the development and beautification of the municipal Park and Plaza.

D) The barangay, sitios and puroks shall be called upon to assist in the maintenance, beautification and management of the municipal park and plaza.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish guideline and measure for the beautification development, maintenance, and management of the park and plaza to enhance the quality of life for the Roxasenos and visitors.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. In this ordinance, the following terms shall mean:

A) Park – a public playground, public recreation center or area and other public areas created, established, designated, maintained, provided or set aside by the municipality for the purposes of public rest, play, recreation, enjoyment or assembly and all facilities and structures located thereon.

B) Plaza – all public square or open space in the town, specifically the one fronting the municipal hall.

C) Bunting – streamer/s which served as decorations on special events such as foundation days, fiestas and other similar activities.

D) Monument – refers to any structure, statue, sculpture or other physical representation erected in the town plaza to commemorate a person, event or concept.

E) Vandalism – shall refer to any defacement or destruction of a structure or a symbol, or any act that willfully and negligently damages property. In this ordinance, vandalism shall also mean those undesirable acts like making graffiti, spray painting, cutting of flowers or trees, and breaking of light bulbs, placing glue or chewing gums on benches and other similar behaviors.

F) Beautification – the enhancement of aesthetic appeal through landscaping, amenities, and infrastructure improvement

G) Development – The construction, renovation, or improvement of park and plaza facilities.

H) Maintenance – The regular upkeep and repair of park and plaza infrastructure, landscaping and amenities.

I) Management – The oversight and administration of park and administration of park and plaza activities, events and regulations.

SECTION 4. REGULATED ACTS. The following shall constitute a violation of this ordinance, to wit:

A) Committing of any form of vandalism on the monument and various plaza improvements that include its lighting system, benches, and other structures, including the landscaping or putting anything that tends to desecrate and alter its physical appearance.

B) Putting anything that will obstruct or cover the view of the monument, or anything extraneous to the plaza that includes, but not limited to any kind of structures, unauthorized streamers or buntings.

C) Using the plaza for holding any game of chance including bingo socials and raffle draws or operating videoke or other amusement activities.

D) Performing or attempting to perform acts that tend to offend or violate public morals and customs.

E) Defecating or urinating under the trees, on playground structures including the landscaping or anywhere within the park and plaza.

F) Cutting, chopping or destroying plants, trees or any ornamental plants or flora for landscaping and beautification of the municipal park and plaza without authority or causing acts that tend to destroy their original setting.

G) Parking or driving vehicles inside the municipal park and plaza.

SECTION 5. PROVISIONS, CONDITIONS IN THE USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARK AND PLAZA.

The following shall govern the use of the Municipal Park and Plaza:

A) The municipal park and plaza shall be kept free and clear for the use of the public and the same shall not be used or occupied for any purpose, whatsoever, other than that for leisure and recreation including group exercises, holding sports activities, and meetings.

B) Any person or group of persons organizing or conducting public assemblies under Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 are allowed to use the municipal park and plaza herein established with the need of securing permit from the Office of the Municipal Mayor prior to the use of the park for information purposes only, and to enable the municipality to prepare the necessary security measures, in cases where the assembly is likely to cause peace and order concerns.

C) Temporary putting of booths and stalls is hereby allowed for official activities sponsored by the municipality during special occasions such as the Roxas Founding Anniversary celebrations, local fiestas, and trade fairs in accordance with Section 458 of Republic Act 7160.

SECTION 6. BUDGETARY REQUIREMENT. There shall be an annual budget of not less than P200,000.00 intended for the maintenance, development and management of the municipal park and plaza, to be taken from the General Fund.

SECTION 7. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

A) MANAGEMENT – The municipal park and plaza shall be managed by the Municipal Engineering Office whose functions include the evaluation and inventory of the park and plaza, overseeing the cleanliness and maintenance of the park and plaza, and enforcing the provision of this ordinance.

B) MEO – Through the Park Maintenance General Foreman, the Municipal Engineering Office shall submit a status report to the Municipal Mayor and furnish a copy to the Sangguniang Bayan, within the first month after the effectivity of this ordinance and shall submit monthly monitoring report.

C) GSO – The General Services Office (GSO) shall oversee permits for using the stage, park, and gym at Roxas Plaza. They shall also manage the overall cleanliness and operations of the municipal park and plaza.

SECTION 8. PENALTIES. Any individual or group of persons who shall be guilty of any of the regulated acts herein defined or violate any other provision/s of this ordinance shall pay the following:

First Offense: P 500.00

Second Offense: P 1,000.00

Third Offense: P 2,500.00 or Community Service not more than 5 hours

SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any section or portion of this ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent authority, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE. All ordinances, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are contrary to, or inconsistent with, any provision of this ordinance are hereby amended, repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall take effect upon approval.

On motion of Councilor Lucille T. Bacay duly seconded by all this ordinance is hereby ENACTED.

Adopted: 27 May 2024