Truck ban in Talisay gets initial nod

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking to ban big trucks from the city’s major thoroughfares.

The Council made its approval during its regular session yesterday morning.

The proposed ordinance, authored by Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, states that cargo trucks and other six-wheel vehicles that pass the city’s even during rush hours are “adding to traffic congestion owing to the size and weight of these vehicles.”

“This type of vehicles also pose danger to the general public especially loaded fuel and liquid tankers that carry flammable, volatile and combustible materials as it passes through highly concentrated areas like the Lagtang Public Market, City Hall and the Tabunoc Elementary School,” the resolution reads.

Section 1(a) of Proposed Ordinance No. 2012-05-1 or the City of Talisay Truck Ban identifies cargo trucks, lorries, fuel tankers, liquid carriers, LPG/LNG tankers, cement bulk carriers, long-bed trailers, 10-40 footer container vans and head/tractors, heavy equipment like dump trucks, payloaders, cranes and other vehicles with more than six wheels or those having gross capacity weight of over 4,500 kilograms, as among those affected in the ban.

If the proposal will be approved with finality, these vehicles will be banned from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, in the following thoroughfares: Rabaya Street, Polong Deiparine St., Prisco Deiparine St., Sangi Road, Laray, Lagtang – Toledo Wharfroad, Sombria – Pooc, and Linao – Mohon Dumlog Road.

Bucao said a public hearing will be conducted on the proposed ordinance this Friday, 9am, at the Talisay City Hall. He said businesses with big trucks, other sectors, and representatives from the 2nd Engineering District will be invited to the hearing. - THE FREEMAN