Jonas won't touch truck ban schedule

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes cannot give in to the request of the business sector that has requested to adjust the time of the implementation of the truck ban in the city.

The business sector has requested the city government if it could move the time of the implementation from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. so as to avoid paying overtime pay to workers.

Cortes, during yesterday’s press conference, said during the dry run of the ban, residents heaped praises on the city government, thankful that traffic flowed smoothly.

The ban allows students and workers to be on time for work and classes. They also get home early, he said.

Cortes hopes for understanding from the business sector, whose taxes help make the city operate efficiently but he said it should also consider the plight of students and workers who, too, are tax payers themselves.

Cortes said exporters are not forbidden to pass through major thoroughfares or highways provided their trucks weigh below 4,500 kilograms, the weight that is banned.

Exempted from the ban are ambulances and trucks that deliver perishable goods.

“Niadto man gud sa wa pa ang truck ban, makasinati ta og bumper to bumper traffic ilabi na diha sa Basak gumikan sa hinay sa dagan sa mga sakyanan. Gabii na kaayong makauli atong mga estudyante ug trabahante. If nabuhat sa Cebu City ug Lapu-Lapu ang truck ban nganong di man nato mabuhat dire sa Mandaue? Cortes said. - THE FREEMAN