Selective ban eyed vs. trucks with risky loads

There is now a move to implement a truck ban on particular roads and or streets in Cebu City, specifically trucks carrying hazardous materials like acetylene tanks and liquefied petroleum gas tanks.

City councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances, wants traffic authorities to strictly enforce said truck ban within the territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City as provided for under the city's Revised Traffic Code.

By doing it, Labella said the danger posed by hauling trucks carrying hazardous materials will be minimized, if not totally eliminated, since the cargo trucks will be obliged to use designated routes and time in traversing the city's roads.

Labella yesterday endorsed a proposed resolution on the issue before the secretariat of the Sangguniang Panglungsod so that concern would be discussed during their next session on Wednesday.

He was alarmed by a report that over 50 people died in Mindanao when a truck transporting liquefied carbon dioxide exploded on a road adjacent to a densely populated area.

Aside from implementing a truck ban, Labella suggested that drivers of cargo trucks should be trained or be given proper orientation on how to avoid accidents.

Labella said "unlike other cargoes, hazardous materials or chemicals being transported in bulk may explode even if the hauling truck carrying the same will not figure out in any low or high-impact vehicular accident."

"It cannot be glossed over that there is a huge risk posed against public safety whenever these hauling trucks laden with hazardous chemicals are travelling since most of the city's roads are adjacent to thickly populated areas," he said.

According to Labella, the Local Government Code empowers the city government to enact measures designed to regulate all traffic on all streets within its territorial jurisdiction to ensure public safety and welfare. - Rene U. Borromeo