BENGUET’S capital town of La Trinidad is keen on making its streets safe as the proposed ordinance setting a speed limit was approved.
Authored by Vice Mayor Joey Marrero and Councilor Roderick Awingan, the measure sets speed limits to all kinds of motor vehicles within the municipality.
The law, known as the “La Trinidad Speed Limit Ordinance,” pushes for a renewed regulation and adoption of traffic rules and lessens accidents caused by over speeding and reckless speeding.
Prescribed speed limit from Problacion to Shilan, Tawang-Ambiong Road, Balite-Longlong-Puguis Road, Tiptop Beckel to lower Beckel is set at 80 kilometers per hour (kph) and 50 kph for trucks and buses.
A 40 and 30 kph limit was set along Poblacion, Puguis, Km. 5, Km. 3 and Km. 6 going to Swamp area and a 20 kph limit was set along the La Trinidad Public Market, Trading Post to Municipal Hall and all other municipal and barangay roads.
“Speed limits are supposed to be set already but it is only now that we are implementing it and it is also to instill discipline to the citizens as well as avoid road accidents here in La Trinidad,” said Awingan.
Penalties for violators are set at P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second and P2,500 and impounding of the motor vehicle for the third and last offense, pursuant to RA 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Private and government ambulances, government vehicles responding to emergencies and any private vehicles ferrying patients to and from any medical facility will be exempted.
The La Trinidad Police Office will be tasked to implement the proposed ordinance when passed and will be backed by the Land Transportation Office, Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The Municipal Engineering Office is tasked to design appropriate traffic signs indicating the speed limits on all affected streets, roads and highways within the municipality.
La Trinidad’s proposed measure was based on Republic Act 7136, granting local government units power to regulate traffic within their boundaries and pass measures to enhance public health, safety convenience, peace and order and promote general prosperity. (University of Cordillera intern Shaura Elaine Cuyan)