The City Government of Valenzuela has recently passed local ordinances extending the ban of videoke usage, amending pedicab capacity limit, and relaxing liquor sale within the jurisdiction of the City with health safety standards and protocols still in place.

Pedicab capacity limit

Ordinance No. 840 Series of 2021 or the “Health Safety Standards in Tricycles, Pedicabs, and E-Trikes” was recently passed increasing the passenger capacity of pedicabs in Valenzuela City to now have two (2) passengers. One side passenger and one back-ride passenger will now be allowed.

The increase of the pedicab passenger capacity now draws similarity with tricycle operations where back-ride was allowed under City Ordinance No. 810 Series of 2020 only effective last November 02, 2020.

Minors and senior citizens, however, are not allowed in the back-ride seat to ensure passenger safety.

Restrictions on public transport operations and passenger capacity limit were mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Following this, the local government restricted one (1) passenger per pedicab and tricycle to adhere to health protocols and physical distancing requirements.

It is still with strong enforcement that the minimum health standards will remain in place such as wearing of face masks, face shields, and a non-permeable transparent barrier or a do-it-yourself transparent divider shall be installed in the pedicabs to separate the driver from the passenger.

Liquor sale

From banning the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages from 10:00pm to 5:00pm, Valenzuela City now relaxes this to 12:00am to 4:00am following the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) curfew hours.

Under the amendment, Ordinance No. 851 Series of 2021 or the "Liquor Regulation During Pandemic Ordinance" also removes the maximum limit on the number of alcoholic beverages that can be purchased by an individual.

To also help restaurants and related businesses, the relaxation of the restrictions on the sale and distribution of liquor will help establishments boost their sales and cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, the same rules and regulations of the “Stay Sober Ordinance” remain such as prohibiting the sale of liquor or alcoholic beverages to minors and pregnant women, drinking in public places, "Tagay System", and public drunkenness.

Videoke ban extended

Meanwhile, the usage of videoke machines and other similar devices were not relaxed as the City Government of Valenzuela even extends it -- hearing out the call of Valenzuelano students attending classes in the evening. 

In its previous ordinance, Valenzuela bans the use of videoke machines from 6:00am to 5:00pm, Mondays to Fridays except holidays.

New Ordinance No. 850 Series of 2021 or the "The Videoke and Other Devices of Similar Nature Regulatory Ordinance" now prohibits the use of videoke machines and similar devices from 6:00am to 7:00pm to also consider college students who finish their online classes at night.

Use of videoke machines are also banned from 10:00pm to 6:00am of the following day from Mondays to Sundays.

The ordinance also prohibits the use of stereo, karaoke, cassette, radio player, sound amplifying equipment, and similar musical devices in all residential and socialized housing areas as defined and outlined in the Comprehensive Use and Zoning Ordinance of Valenzuela City.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all classes are now held online to keep students safe in their homes and thus require a conducive learning environment for studying.

The recently amended and passed ordinances will help Valenzuelanos and small establishments recover from the effects of the pandemic. Likewise, the City Government of Valenzuela still takes into consideration its constituents in enforcing health protocols – reminding every Valenzuelano that easement of protocols will be dealt with precaution and ordinances will be imposed consistently.