THE request for additional truck ban passes to cater the increasing number of vegetable buyers for the holiday season was approved by the Baguio Traffic Management Unit of the Baguio City Police Office coupled with several conditions.
A total of 41 trucks are exempted on the truck ban ordinance of Baguio City from December 18 to 30, 2019.
This in response to the earlier request of La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post Association Inc. on the possible lifting of truck ban and or additional truck ban passes.
“For the 41 trucks, we have given them temporary exemption starting December 18 to 30 only. This is to allow delivery of perishable vegetables from Benguet and Baguio City." Major Oliver Panabang, chief of the Baguio City Police Office Traffic Management Unit told SunStar Baguio.
The list of 41 trucks exempted on truck ban was stated in a memorandum addressed to Baguio City Police Station and other operating units.
Under the truck ban rules, trucks and other freight trucks with 4,500 kilograms carrying capacity or more are 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.
Panabang however added the 41 trucks are not exempted from any other traffic violations saying each truck should maintain a three minutes gap while traversing Buhagan (Bokawkan) Road to Marcos Highway Station 10.
The police officer said in event of any mechanical defect incurred while traversing Baguio City, the operator must immediately remove the truck to avoid traffic obstruction.
The exemption for the 41 trucks will be automatically void on December 31.
Trucks destinations vary from Tarlac, Bataan, Balintawak, Olongapo, Bataan, Cubao, Cavite, Bicol, Bulacan, Catanduanes.
Augusta Balanoy, general manager of Benguet Farmers Marketing Cooperative and public relations officer of LTVTP, said for the holiday season, most farmers hope to sell their produce since the demand doubles and triples and the additional truck passes is a welcome development to cater to the increased buyers for the peak season which is December.