Truck ban ‘lacks preparation’
DESCRIBING the soon-to-be implemented truck ban policy as “lacking in preparation,” former mayor turned Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said the Manila City government should have exhausted all other possible solutions to reduce traffic first.
Atienza, who served three consecutive terms as mayor of the capital city, conceded that while the revised truck ban would ease traffic in major roads in Manila, local officials should have tried all other feasible alternatives to provide relief to motorists and commuters “before implementing anything.”
“I think they should clear all side streets first [of double-parked vehicles] or those using these streets as parking areas so that they can be used for vehicular traffic,” he said during yesterday’s Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel media forum.
He also noted that Manila’s main streets could accommodate more vehicles if vendors were prohibited from setting up stalls.
Mayor Joseph Estrada earlier said the city government decided to revise the existing truck ban to ease traffic flow, taking into consideration the students and employees affected by the situation.
“We’re thinking of the greater good for the greatest number,” he added.
Starting Feb. 24, eight-wheeler trucks and vehicles weighing more than 4,500 kilograms will be banned from roads in Manila from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven hours more than the current ban.
They will be allowed only to take designated truck routes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., except on Sundays and holidays.
However, trucks loaded with perishable goods and petroleum products, including those used for government projects, are exempted from the ban.
The ban was originally set to be enforced on Feb. 10 but the date of implementation was postponed after it was opposed by various stakeholders, especially trucker groups, importers and exporters.
The city government said the postponement was aimed at giving cargo companies enough time to make necessary adjustments.
Abakada Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, meanwhile, reiterated the Bureau of Customs’ concern that the expanded truck ban might severely affect the operations of major cargo-holding facilities in the country.
“The stakeholders were also not prepared because of the sudden implementation of the revised ban,” Dela Cruz claimed.
But in an earlier interview with the INQUIRER, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said consultations were held with various stakeholders through public hearings and a traffic summit.
Atienza also commented on the plan of the city to ban or regulate motorcyclists who ride in tandem.
“Banning [tandem riding] is not the solution to the crime surge in the city and the whole country,” he said, explaining that the best way to fight crimes is to catch the perpetrators.
“If these killers will not be put behind bars, crimes will continue to increase,” Atienza said, adding that “the death penalty will also be useless if criminals remain free on the streets.”
He also expressed opposition to the move to bring back capital punishment because it would only punish the poor who do not have the money to circumvent a “corruption-ridden” system.