EO out to penalize agreement violators

CEBU, Philippines - Sugarcane planters, haulers and millers who violate the agreed truck dimensions and safety measures will now be punished after an Executive Order was formally issued by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The EO, which took effect April 1, provides that the trucks caught violating the agreement will be impounded and the cargoes therein will be confiscated in favor of the provincial government. The impounded truck will only be released upon compliance of the agreed measurement.

Based on the EO, the planters, haulers and millers must conform to the agreed closed sidings. They can only load canes up to two feet beyond the edge of the siding and must not be beyond 13 feet from the ground.

The load limit is also being imposed to help in preserving the roads. Aside from the hazards caused by the protruding sugarcanes to motorists and bystanders, the dirt from the trucks is also affecting the efforts of the Local Government Units to maintain cleanliness of the highway under the Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) highway competition of the Provincial Government. The operators are required to place tarpaulins to cover the load and chop off the protruding canes.

A special unit of the Team Eskina, which is also into market denial campaign for illegally caught fish, was tasked to monitor the violators.

Jose Mari Miranda, president of the Bogo- Medellin Planters and Haulers Association, said that they will adhere to the EO as this will help in the preservation of roads and protect lives.

Garcia will also endorse to the Provincial Board the said executive order for the legislative body to approve an ordinance on the matter.

Miranda said their members already agreed two years ago to put sidings to their trucks, but not all have complied because of the additional cost requirement.— (FREEMAN)