CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Third District Board Member Ananias Canlas Jr. said that the Pampanga Provincial Board is keen on fast tracking the creation of an anti-overloading ordinance for trucks in the province to safeguard the various roads and bridges.
This after board members met with representatives of the trucking and quarry industry here as the province is set to push for a comprehensive ordinance against overloading. The proposed ordinance recently underwent a committee hearing among stakeholders in the quarry industry and is currently under deliberation in the Provincial Board.
Former councilor and board member Mike Tapang had earlier pushed for stricter sanctions against overloaded quarry trucks in Pampanga with a three-strike rule that would revoke their permits.
Canlas said that the proposed ordinance is a reiteration of existing government laws and would prevent roads from deterioration and ensure the safety of motorists and commuters using roads along quarry routes.
Canlas said that such a move will ensure that the trucks carrying commercial sand will be policed by their own ranks, thus saving major road networks here from damage and deterioration brought about by overloaded trucks.
“The ordinance will also ensure fair competition as those who indulge in overloading were reported to manipulate prices in the market,” according to businessman Mike Tapang, member of the quarry sector in Pampanga.
The proposed ordinance mandates the creation of Technical Working Group that will formulate the guidelines, criteria and mechanics for the accreditation of motor vehicles for the hauling and transporting of sand, gravel and other quarry materials.
The criteria shall include the road-worthiness and load capacity of the quarry operator’s vehicles pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8794. The same group will set penalties like revocation of accreditation of motor vehicles, which may violate the loading capacity that will be set by the group.