Capitol checkpoints won't exempt government vehicles, contractors

CEBU, Philippines - Government contractors and even government vehicles will not be exempted in the intensified campaign waged by the provincial government against illegal fishing, illegal quarry and overloading.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday ordered the members of the Team Eskina, a task force created by the Capitol primarily to run after people transporting illegal cargo, to flag down even government-owned vehicles.

The governor issued the order after Cordova police chief Noli Cernio raised a concern on the vehicles bearing signages “Government Project, Do not delay.”

Cernio said they do not subject these vehicles to checkpoints because of the signage. However, Garcia said all trucks transporting minerals should be subjected to routine checks.

“Government property does not give you the immunity or the license to violate the existing local and national laws,” Garcia said.

Garcia ordered all members of the Task Forces Eskina during the orientation seminar at the Capitol Social Hall yesterday that all cargo trucks transporting minerals and coal products should be flagged down even if they are bearing a signage, “Government project. Do not delay.”

Garcia admitted that government contractors have asked that they be exempted from the campaign but she allegedly told them that nobody is exempted.

“Minghangyo gani sila na i-exempt sila kay ma-delay ang ilang trabaho. But nobody is exempted, even government properties,” Garcia said.

CPPO officer-in-charge, Supt. Teofilo Siclot, in a later interview said that they will now start flagging down all vehicles regardless of the signage. They will also apprehend those who are not authorized to carry such signage.

Garcia said she hopes for an active collaboration among the agencies to fully implement the load limit, the illegal quarrying as well as the illegal fishing campaign in Cebu.

Present in the seminar yesterday were the respective local government chief executives, Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force, police officials from the different police stations under Cebu Provincial Police Office, Land Transportation Office-7, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and the Department of Energy among others. They are members of Team Eskina.

“We need your support. We will put an end to these continuous violations,” Garcia said. – (FREEMAN)