CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Over the weekend, some 25 dump trucks have been parking on both sides of the boulevard fronting the Capitol, posing risks to motorists and pedestrians plying the route.
From Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) in this city before, now they are at Capitol Boulevard, parked in a long stretch on the road sides occupying sidewalks, blocking off driveways and parking lots, spewing out "white smog" (sand and dust) and making a lot of noise that has started to irk pedestrians, motorists and businessmen along the area.
Only last month, business leaders and officials of this city had moved to oust the trucks from their "parking spaces" at Jasa for dumping their excess load along the road and parking indiscriminately while waiting for the lifting of the truck ban.
The trucks at Capitol Boulevard have reportedly been apprehended for overloading and some seeking to renew their accreditation with the provincial government's Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) office, according to one truck driver interviewed by Sun.Star Pampanga.
Last year, Capitol officials proposed that the trucks be held in an area at the Provincial Engineer's Office if apprehended or seeking their hauling passes.
But the long line of trucks has earned the ire of people passing and walking along the city road. Entry and exit gates have recently been constructed at Arnedo Park limiting traffic flow to the Capitol.
"Last week pa po ganyan. Pati driveway namin hinarangan na nila. Maingay at maalikabok ngayon, eh hindi naman dating ganyan dito," said a resident who preferred not to be named.
A group of students walking to nearby Data College also complained about the trucks as they said they were nearly sideswiped by a car Monday morning.
An irate Chinese businessmen owning a food shop along the boulevard told Sun.Star Pampanga: "Walang parking na ang mga customers naming. Makipot lang ang kalsada na ito pero bakit dito pa sila pina-park ng Kapitolyo? May permit ba iyan?"
According to Salvador Bais, a truck driver and operator, it was Capitol's order to have their trucks parked there.
Sun.Star Pampanga tried to reach Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu and Environment and Natural Resources head Engineer Sally Adonis but they were still in a meeting as of press time.
For his part, City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao told Sun.star Pampanga he would have the situation investigated.
The Capitol Boulevard is under the jurisdiction of the City Government.
Earlier last week, Councilor Raul Macalino, who also sits at the Provincial Board, has brought to the attention of the legislative body the construction of the Arnedo Park gates and the re-routing of traffic, which has allegedly been causing inconvenience to employees and nearby residents.
"Only the City Government could do that with the proper ordinance as it is still within its jurisdiction and not otherwise as Capitol officials claim," Macalino said.