LEAGUE of Associations at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Area Incorporated is seeking for the lifting of the truck ban in Baguio City during the holiday season.
The league, through President Nora Ganase wrote a letter to Mayor Mauricio Domogan to lift the truck ban among vegetable trucks from December 20 to 31 this year to allow swift delivery of highly perishable local goods to the consumers.
“December is the peak season of the vegetable industry. It is during this time that farmers hope to sell most of their produce since the demand doubles or triples. These vegetables from Benguet and nearby vegetable producing provinces supplies key markets as far as Batanes, Palawan and General Santos City,” the letter added.
Some 11 associations of the league comprised of stakeholders in the vegetable industry said they will comply with any conditions the city will ask of them if their request is granted.
Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, another trading area in Benguet also wrote government officials including Baguio and Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for the total exemption of vegetable truckers.
Under Baguio City’s ordinance, the truck ban aims to address immense traffic experience during rush hours with penalties for violators comprised of fines from P2,000 to P5,000.
Under the truck ban rules, trucks and other freight trucks with 4,500 kilograms carrying capacity or more prohibited to enter the roads of the city including the central business district from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Augusta Balanoy of the League of Associations added a total of 40 in the league availed of the special pass, however, this still not enough as 60 to 70 truck operators still need passes.