Truck ban proposed for 1st district

But before the plan can be implemented, congressman says stakeholders must be consulted

MAYORS in the first district have been urged to implement a traffic ban from Talisay City to Sibonga, as this might address the worsening traffic in the southern part of Metro Cebu.

Although they support Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr.’s call, the mayors said they must consult stakeholders before the ban can be put in place.

On his Facebook page, Gullas said the traffic situation in his district has worsened over the past year.

Commuters’ ire

He said he has firsthand experience, adding that he would always get stuck in traffic whenever he visited constituents.

“For some extent it has gained the ire of com- muters passing through as well, but for most part, it slows every aspect of economic activity. It is now ripe to take a leaping action before our roads become a trap hole,” he said.

Gullas said he met with the mayors last Saturday and brought up the idea of a district-wide truck ban.

He also asked them to coordinate with each other, through their legislative councils, to pass an ordinance banning trucks and other heavy industry vehicles with the exception of vehicles carrying farm products and perishable goods.

But he also urged the mayors to consult truck owners, businessmen and commuters.

In the three towns and three cities in the first district, only Talisay City has an implemented truck ban ordinance.

Moving with caution

Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña said he agrees with the ban, but the matter must be threshed out since the town is home to various industries with trucking services and he doesn’t want their operations to be affected.

Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura, for his part, said a district-wide truck ban will serve as a reminder to other local government units (LGUs) to prepare for a similar situation that has affected urbanized LGUs like Minglanilla and Talisay City.