The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. is opposing the proposed truck ban in Dumaguete City, saying it will be detrimental to the businesses and the local economy.
NOCCI President Edward Du disclosed Thursday the Chamber will come up with a position paper on the matter.
This follows a public consultation with business establishments held earlier which favored the postponement of the proposed experimental truck ban which is set for implementation in December.
The city government, represented by Councilors Alan Gel Cordova and Lilani Ramon, held a consultation with the business sector Thursday afternoon to discuss the traffic advisory dated Nov. 15, informing the public of the experimental truck ban.
Effective Dec. 1, heavy equipment vehicles, trucks, trailer trucks, dump trucks, and other freight trucks with gross weight capacity of 4,500 kilograms (4.5 tons) or more are prohibited from entering, traversing, parking, loading, and unloading or passing along pre-identified streets from 6 am-1 pm and from 4-8 pm every day except Sundays and holidays.
The streets covered by the experimental truck ban are Perdices, San Jose, and Ma. Cristina.
The large vehicles and trucks can only pass through these streets from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, the traffic advisory said.
Also, the city government has identified alternate routes for vehicles passing through the City from the north or from the south directions.
The traffic advisory also specified that entry of trucks that are passing through Bagacay-Batinguel Road, the Dumaguete Palinpinon Road, and Larena Drive is prohibited from 6-8:30 am, and from 4:30-6:30 pm on weekdays.
According to Du, a truck ban is not the solution to the growing traffic congestion problem of Dumaguete.
Trucks are the “lifeline” of the business establishments and if a ban is imposed, it will “paralyze” operations in the city, Du added.
Some 75 local businessmen attended Thursday’s consultation.
Du, meanwhile, suggested that instead of a ban, trucks should have their exclusive designated routes where private vehicles, including motorcycles, are not allowed to pass.
The businessmen are asking for a deferment of the proposed ban while the Mayor is busy and cannot attend to the matter before December. Du said they hope for a win-win solution.
Also present in the consultation with the businessmen were representatives from the Traffic Management Office, the Philippine Ports Authority, and the Highway Patrol Group. (With a report from Judy Flores Partlow/PNA)
