The Bacolod City Council has taken a significant step to regulate one of its premier recreational facilities, approving a new set of rules for the public skate park in Barangay Vista Alegre.
New Ordinance Sets Clear Guidelines
During a session held recently, the council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that establishes comprehensive rules and regulations for the skate park, complete with penalties for those who break them. The measure was authored by Councilor Jason Villarosa, who chairs the City Council's committee on tourism.
Villarosa emphasized the local government's duty to create guidelines that benefit the public. He grounded the proposal in legal foundations, citing Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which highlights the state's role in promoting the youth's well-being. He also referenced Article 133(5) of The Child and Youth Welfare Code, which encourages local governments to establish youth recreation centers.
"These guidelines shall serve as the general basis for the usage and management of the Bacolod City Public Skate Park," Villarosa stated, noting the facility's location in Barangay Vista Alegre.
Key Rules and Staggered Penalties
The proposed ordinance outlines several crucial rules for park users. Individuals below 18 years old are prohibited from using the skate park unless accompanied by a guardian. Everyone must wear proper safety equipment, and the use of dangerous accessories is banned. Furthermore, the park will be closed to users after 10 p.m..
To enforce these rules, the ordinance establishes a tiered penalty system:
- First offense: A 24-hour ban from the skate park.
- Second offense: A 168-hour (one-week) ban.
- Third offense: A ban lasting one full month.
A Major Investment in Youth and Sports
The skate park is part of a larger P241-million project implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Western Visayas in 2023. The development features a modern, two-story sports center with a ticketing office, covering a total floor area of 3,141 square meters. It is designed to be a dynamic hub for athletic and community events.
Adjacent to this center is the state-of-the-art skate park itself, which spans 1,355 square meters. The new ordinance aims to ensure this significant public investment is used safely, responsibly, and for the benefit of Bacolod's youth, as envisioned by both national law and local initiative.
