Manila bans hanging clothes in public

A new city ordinance that will strictly prohibit the drying of laundry hanging in indiscriminate places is now approved and will be implemented by the city government of Manila effective this month.

The Sanggunihang Panglunsod passed Ordinance 8597, otherwise known as “Tapat Ko, Linis Ko,” that imposes on all city residents to keep their surroundings clean and tidy or face fines or a possible jail term.

The ordinance wants to keep public spaces clear and clean of trash and obstructions, particularly in all passageways, roads, streets and alleys, with an emphasis on the indiscriminate hanging of wet laundry on house windows and Meralco lines that are an eyesore.

“An ordinance strictly requiring all residential and commercial establishments within the city of Manila to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of their immediate surrounding and frontage, and providing penalties for violation thereof or otherwise known as ‘Tapat Ko, Linis Ko’ ordinance.” The ordinance read.

It also has provisions outlawing the washing of clothes in certain locations, forbidding pet owners from allowing their dogs to do their business in public areas, banning the dumping of trash on streets, and the placing of houseplants in front of homes.

The penalty for the first offense will a warning or reprimand; second offense is a fine of P500 pesos; third, P1,000; fourth, P3,000; and fifth, P5,000 or a 30-day jail term.

The said ordinance was enacted through the initiative of Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna with the aid of Majority Floor Leader Atty. Joel Chua and principal author, 4th Dist. Councilor Atty. Joel Villanueva.

The ordinance in in line with the advocacy and program of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso aimed at putting order in the city.