BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance imposing a total truck ban within the city’s central business district area from 6 am to 9 pm amending for the purpose Article XI, Section 10 of Ordinance No. 7-84.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that the use of the central business district roads by 6-wheeled delivery trucks or freight trucks of two and a half ton or more shall not be allowed between 6 am up to 9 pm.
Ordinance 07, series of 1984 was passed in order to adopt a comprehensive transportation and traffic legislation for the city, providing for the administration and enforcement of the said local legislative measure.
It was learned that the prevailing truck ban in the central business district area is from 7 am to 7 pm.
Yangot claimed that it is apparent that with the sudden increase in the city’s populace as well as vehicles coming in and out of the central business district, monstrous traffic jams occur earlier than the usual time in the morning and reaches up to 9 pm.
He argued that due to this, it is proper to amend the existing truck ban time to minimize traffic congestions, inconvenience and maintain smooth traffic flow within the central business district area.
The ordinance was referred to the committee on public utilities, traffic and transport legislation for study and recommendation after the conduct of sufficient public consultations.
Yangot added the city’s worsening traffic congestion is aggravated by the numerous construction activities undertaken by the public works department in various parts of the central business district drainage system.
He offered that the smooth flow of traffic in the city could be facilitated with proper discipline among drivers, pedestrians, contractors of public works projects and the public, who all need to adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
He appealed to both the commuting and motoring public to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations as part of decongesting traffic in the central business district area, especially during rush hours.
By Dexter A. See
