A CONVENTION center and golf course owner in Angeles City has expressed support to the Porac Quarry Association's request to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its members to use the western section of the multi-billion pesos Megadike.

Ruperto Cruz, owner of the Grand Palazzo Royal convention hall and the Korean dominated Royal Garden Golf and Country Club in Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City, said allowing the trucks loaded with quarry materials to use the dike would "allay fears that the structure is substandard."

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Perhaps Cruz is missing the point. The Megadike's integrity or engineering soundness is measured in its ability to contain volcanic mudflows from the slopes of Pinatubo and floodwaters within its "catchment" area. It was never designed to accommodate hundreds of heavy trucks that bring sand and gravel materials to Metro Manila and other destinations every day.

Non-government organizations and civic groups, including the Save San Fernando Foundation Inc. and the Save Pampanga Movement, have actively participated in ensuring that the Megadike would not be substandard. Compaction tests were undertaken by NGOs to make sure that the lahar materials inside the top parts and concrete sidewalls have been sufficiently compressed. Cruz group, known as Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement, was not among the organizations that monitored the construction of the Megadike.

Cruz was correct, though, in his observation on how quarry trucks cause damage and deterioration to the national and local roads, including the one in front of his convention hall and golf course, which is among the routes being used regularly by quarry trucks. Perhaps Cruz also noticed that the circumferential road, which was designed to carry both light and heavy vehicles, is no match to the daily abuse it gets from the quarry trucks that use it.

Allowing the quarry trucks to use the anti-lahar and anti-flood structure just to allay fears that it is not substandard is unnecessary. It's an unwise suggestion.

What is understandable on the part of Cruz is the damage being caused by quarry trucks to the circumferential road that leads to his properties. Of course, a businessman must protect his interests and those of his clients or customers.

Cruz is also calling for a "total truck ban" in Angeles City where his businesses are located. But, of course, the City Hall should not consider only the interests of one businessman or one sector. It must uphold the general welfare. By imposing the 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. truck ban within the city, traffic jam would be greatly minimized with the absence of the hundreds of quarry trucks on the road. This will be good for the general public. Quarry operators and truckers, meanwhile, will still have eight hours to bring their merchandise to their customers in Metro Manila and other areas.