ZAMBOANGA CITY — The much-delayed Tourism Code here, debated on the floor of the City Council for over a year now, has suffered another delay.

Reason? Councilor are debating if calesas or horse-drawn carriages (tartanilyas in Iligan City) would be allowed to operate here.

Councilor Juan Climaco Elago, chair of the Committee on Ordinances and Resolutions, said he believes calesas would serve as a symbol of the rich culture and heritage of Zamboanga and should be allowed to run within certain areas in the city. The proposed areas include Pettit Barracks and Fort Pilar.

Councilor Milabel Velasquez said allowing calesas within certain areas would not only show visitors the rich heritage of Zamboanga but would also educate the youth on the culture of the city.

City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez proposed that the committee should consider allowing the calesas to run as far as RT Lim Boulevard or areas where traffic is not a problem.

But Councilor Elias Enriquez said allowing the calesas to operate could worsen the already problematic traffic situation in the city. Enriquez is one of the authors of the city’s Traffic Code.

Elago, however, countered that the calesas would not be allowed to operate in areas where traffic is congested. He cited areas in the country where calesas do not pose a problem in traffic enforcement.

Elago also said the calesas are not intended to become an alternative means of transportation in the city.