|
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Businessmen oppose number coding repeal
By Ernie N. Olson Jr.
THE Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (BBCCII), on Wednesday added its voice to the snowballing protest on the planned repeal of the number coding ordinance.
BBCCII officers and directors reiterated their support for the retention and continued implementation of Ordinance 001-03 because "there is no basis to support the contention that the ordinance has failed to address and rationalize the downtown traffic situation such as the conduct of a comprehensive study of the present traffic situation and comparative statistics."
They added that no alternative solution to solve the traffic problem has been presented by the proponent of the ordinance repealing the number-coding scheme.
"There is no evidence that the number-coding scheme is the main reason for the decrease in the influx of tourists to the city, as there may be other factors affecting the same. There is (also) no assurance that with the lifting of the number-coding scheme, tourists will be encouraged to come. In fact, they may even be more discouraged because of the worsening traffic situation. We can see this scenario during weekends when the number of cars on our roads is considerably much greater as compared to the number during weekdays," the group stressed.
Vice Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., Councilors Antonio Tabora Jr., and Federico Mandapat Jr., earlier filed a resolution seeking to repeal the number-coding scheme.
They said the ordinance not only is a deterrent to the tourism industry, but it appears that the ordinance is of no use, since the city council had been granting exemptions to certain groups.
Mandapat added the number-coding ordinance could be considered as a useless piece of legislation.
He said that in the previous council, he and councilor Tabora have opposed the granting of exemptions but they were voted out, adding the granting of exemptions has opened the doors for other groups to ask for exemptions as well.
But the BBCCII said the grant of exemptions to a few groups does not negate the objective of the ordinance.
"As good citizens of the country, residents of Baguio observe the provisions of Ordinance 001-03 (and) this should likewise be applicable to all tourists entering the city."
Those who signed the position paper included BBCCII president Alfonso Lao, first vice president Cesario Villanueva, second vice president Dennis Sy, board secretary Carmen Balajadia, assistant secretary Jackie Acoba-Ver, treasurer Susan Go, assistant treasurer Johnny dela Cruz, business manager Trinidad Cayading, auditor Gilberto Figalan, public relations officer Roberto Pidal, and directors Nancy Alabanza, Freddie Gonzales and Ernesto Panis.
Last Monday, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Baguio-Benguet-La Union and the Federation of Taxi Operators and Drivers Association opposed the planned repeal of the ordinance, saying this might lead to further traffic congestion.
The drivers said the proposal might clogged up the streets, and worsen the city's traffic situation.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), during the public hearing, also registered its opposition to have the number coding ordinance revoked, saying this could worsen air pollution within the central business district.
Engr. Rolando Reyes chief of the EMB Pollution Control Division even suggested that the scheme's area of coverage be expanded to include Magsaysay Avenue, Trancoville and Marcos Highway.
Reyes said due to the difficulty in imposing the anti-smoke belching law, the best remedy in reducing air pollution is by reducing the number of motor vehicles traversing the city's streets.
"Such an ordinance should not be repealed but should (even) be expanded."
(September 23, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
