PB mulls law on road safety

ANY truck or vehicle carrying sand and gravel or any aggregate materials without cover will face imprisonment and fines once a proposed ordinance of the Provincial Board of Misamis Oriental will be enacted into law.

The proposed measure was passed by Provincial Board member Emmanuel S. Mugot on Monday during the board’s regular session. It was approved on first reading.

In the proposed ordinance, Mugot cited that many quarrying operators and earth haulers are doing business without considering environmental standards and road safety conditions.

He noted that most vehicles used in hauling are not “constructed” to prevent its contents from dropping, shifting, leaking or escaping.

“Spilled earth materials can cause road accidents, hence regulation thru the police power of the state must be exercised,” Mugot said.

Under the proposed ordinance, all quarry operators and earth haulers in the province are mandatorily required to securely cover the sand and gravel load of their trucks.

Once enacted into law, the proposed ordinance shall be known as the “Truck Load Cover Ordinance of the Province of Misamis Oriental.

The ordinance imposes a fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of arresto menor in its maximum period and arresto mayor in its maximum period for the first, second and succeeding offenses, respectively.

The proposed ordinance was also authored by Board members Benedict P. Lagbas, Jeremy G. Pelaez, Jimmy E. Caiña and Arrish T. Canonigo. (ALR)