MEMBERS of the League of Associations at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Area have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera and Tuba Municipal Council to suspend the implementation of weighbridge for heavy vehicles in Marcos Highway.
The league, composed of 12 federated groups including buyers, traders, truckers, disposers, farmers, packers, porters and parking operators manifested in their letter the installation of the weighbridge is dangerous to the plight of the stakeholders.
“We find this alarming and dangerous to the local economy, the vegetable industry, its stakeholders most especially the farmers,” the petition said.
The associations have sought for the suspension of the installation of a weighbridge at Badiwan, in lieu of a resolution submitted by the Tuba Council to limit the loads of trucks traversing the area as a solution to numerous traffic jam and accidents.
“Due to the load limit to be imposed thru the weigh bridge implementation, the loss may lead to almost P7 billion a year or 234 million kilograms of assorted vegetables that will not be purchased since traders/truckers will cut their load or the vegetable volume they buy on a daily basis,” the letter reads addressed to DPWH-CAR regional director Engineer Nerie Bueno.
The association mentioned other doable solutions that may be done to regulate traffic jams and accidents at Badiwan area.
Tuba Vice Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan during Monday’s session said the matter has been pending and the request of the truckers have been referred to the council’s committee.
Tuba Police Chief Inspector James Acod said most accidents in the area are caused by either mechanical defect or human error.
The consecutive traffic congestion in the area has earlier drawn the attention of Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan asking agencies’ cooperation to alleviate traffic problem in Marcos Highway.
Tuba Mayor Ignacio Rivera on July 5 issued a memorandum to maintain a speed limit of five to 30 kilometers per hour for south bound trucks and buses must stay near the center of the south bound lane. North bound buses and trucks must stay near the corner of the north bound lane.
A temporary traffic scheme was also designed during heavy rains in anticipation of accidents that may cause heavy to severe traffic.
Only triple differential trucks with airbag and center lock are allowed to pass beyond the checkpoint at rockshed while single and double differential trucks and gas tankers are ordered to stage at Begis Poblacion or under Badiwan bridge.