Tuesday, December 23, 2008 Trucks barred from Kennon road By Rimaliza Opiña
THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) prohibited trucks loaded with rocks, sand, and gravel from plying Kennon road during daytime because of the inconvenience it has brought to some motorists.
Transportation Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. said the slow movement of heavily-laden trucks result in a traffic build-up at Kennon road.
The directive not to use the road during daytime was issued right after the fare rollback last December 15.
Aside from loaded trucks, a recent rerouting of jeepneys traversing Loakan road has exacerbated traffic congestion at Kennon.
The Kadaclan section of Loakan has been closed to traffic, due to repairs being done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Mandapat said many of the haulers have reasoned that the aggregates they deliver are part of government projects. He, however, said the alibi was not considered because many abuse this to get away with breaking the rules.
The transportation sector, including the DPWH, has questioned some directives of Mandapat; one of which bans vegetable delivery trucks from plying Kennon road.
Citing safety reasons, Mandapat said trucks should only use either Marcos highway or Naguilian road.
