Baguio truck ban may hurt agri sector
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A truck ban passed by the Baguio City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) and set for implementation is likely to hurt the agriculture sector, the governor said over the weekend.
Governor Cresencio Pacalso stressed his concern regarding the implementation of Ordinance No. 50, Series of 2017, prohibiting heavy equipment trailers, dump trucks and other freight trucks or six-wheelers and above with gross weight of 4,500 kilograms or more from traversing various roads around the city from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pacalso said he has aired his concern in talks with Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, citing how the truck ban will adversely affect farmers and vegetable dealers in transporting their fresh crops to markets nationwide.
“I have talked to Mayor Domogan this week and he said he has ordered the City Police to hold the implementation of the said Truck Ban Ordinance,” said the governor.
It was learned that the La Trinidad vegetable truck drivers group has agreed to the implementation of the total truck ban in the city from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., but questioned its enforcement from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., which transporters consider the “golden hours” of transporting highland vegetables from the trading post in La Trinidad to Metro Manila and other lowland destinations.
On their end, farmers fear that a bigger percentage of their produce may go to waste since the travel time is critical in ensuring that their crops reach the markets fresh.
The waiting time for the city’s truck ban to lapse will expose the crops to the heat of the sun, dust and other elements which may easily damage the vegetables and require cleaning them again at the trading posts.
For traders, the more time delayed in delivery will mean losses.
Pacalso underscored the need for laws and ordinances in Baguio City and Benguet to co-exist.
“They are catching up with the buyers and are also catching up with the cargo ships so they cannot delay their transport,” said Pacalso. “Which is why the truckers are asking the Local Government of Baguio City to exempt their trucks that transport these perishable goods from the coverage of the New Truck Ban in the City,” he added.