TOWN BANS TRUCKS ON CHRISTMAS

Minglanilla urges establishments to use smaller vehicles during the holidays to help ease traffic along the highway

The decision to ban big trucks to deliver goods to various business establishments during the Christmas holidays is the ultimate solution to traffic in Minglanilla, the gateway to southern Cebu.

Jonathan Tumulak, focal person on traffic management of the Cebu Provincial Government, reacted to the statement of Myra Lapitan of the Minglanilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the ban will paralyze their operation.

Tumulak said business firm owners can still deliver goods using small vehicles and should not obstruct the national highway.

He said gone are the days when businessmen used 10-wheeler trucks to deliver goods and occupy a major portion of roads, as if they own the highway, to the prejudice of the motorists and commuters.

“We are now waiting for an executive order or memorandum to be signed by Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña, banning the delivery of goods by big trucks so we can implement it,” Tumulak said.

On the other hand, the Naga City Government approved a traffic management code, which designates jeepney stops and bus stops.

Naga City Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong said there are now designated “stop areas” for north-bound and south-bound passenger buses and jeepneys to prevent indiscriminate loading and unloading of passengers and cargoes that cause road congestion.

Pursuant to Section 458(5)(vvi) of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the Naga City Government is authorized to regulate traffic on all streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks and other public places.

The same law authorized LGUs to establish bus and vehicle stops and terminals, regulate garages and the operation of conveyance for hire and install traffic signs within the territorial jurisdiction.

Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 welcomed the development, saying every LGU is tasked by their agency to make a Land Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) in preparation for transport modernization.

For his part, former Mayor Valdemar Chiong said the LGU decided to approve only the construction of residential houses or buildings with specified parking areas to prevent any illegal parking at the roadsides.

He said those who will buy vehicles must make sure that they have a garage and should not park on the road especially in the highway.

He said there is also a moratorium on the construction of schools beside the highway to prevent traffic congestion especially during rush hours.

“We prohibit a cockpit arena to be constructed along the highway because it can surely create traffic. Now, we will prohibit the construction of any school along major road,” Chiong said.