Measure banning heavily tinted Cebu City-owned vehicles pushed

Local

A PROPOSED ordinance that seeks to ban tinted glass, curtains, blinds, and other visibility-blocking devices in all city- and barangay-owned vehicles has been filed at the Cebu City Council.

The proposal, authored by Councilor Harold Go, was referred to the council’s Committee on Laws and Styling during the regular session on Tuesday, Jan. 13, for further review.

If approved, the ordinance would apply to all vehicles owned by the Cebu City government and its barangays, as well as those leased, donated, or otherwise made available for official use using public funds, even if registered under private names.

Go said the measure is rooted in the principles of transparency and accountability. He stressed that government vehicles are purchased and maintained using taxpayers’ money and should therefore be easily identifiable to the public.

The proposed ordinance points out that tinted windows and other coverings can limit visibility during checkpoints, inspections, and emergencies, and may raise questions about whether government vehicles are being used strictly for official purposes.

Under the measure, the use or installation of dark, smoked, reflective, or mirror-finish tints would be prohibited, along with curtains, blinds, sunshades, stickers, cardboard, or any other material that substantially blocks visibility into the vehicle’s interior.

Limited exemptions

Certain vehicles may be exempted under strict conditions, including ambulances, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles where tinting is medically or operationally necessary, as well as law enforcement vehicles engaged in specific security operations.

Medical exemptions for regular vehicle occupants may also be allowed, provided they are supported by a valid medical certificate and receive written approval from the City Mayor. All exemptions must be documented and recorded with the Department of General Services and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

Compliance and penalties

Once enacted, all covered offices and barangays would be given 60 days to remove prohibited tints or coverings. Vehicles would then undergo inspection and tagging to certify compliance.

Noncompliant vehicles could be denied fuel, maintenance, and repair services at city or barangay expense. Violations would carry fines ranging from P3,000 to P5,000, with repeat offenses potentially leading to administrative sanctions against accountable officers, including suspension or dismissal under civil service rules.

Enforcement would be handled by the CCTO, Cebu City Police Office, and the Department of General Services, with a formal protest mechanism available for those cited for violations.

The Committee on Laws and Styling will review the proposed ordinance’s provisions before it is brought back to the City Council for further deliberation and possible approval.(TGP)