Truck ban still up in Mandaue today

CEBU, Philippines – The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue is extending the truck ban until today, September 8, to ensure the seamless travel of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation delegates.

According to Glenn Antigua, chief of TEAM, the Philippine National Police Security Group has requested the extension of the truck ban since the route going to the ministerial meeting's venue is "critical."

Antigua said the delegates are now staying at Radisson Blu Hotel and will be traveling to Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa for the meeting.

"Kato gihapong usual nato nga truck ban katong sa ceremonial route. Nihangyo man gud ang sa PNP, sa security group, kay mga ministers na man gud ang mag-meeting," Antigua said.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is also expected to attend the ministerial meeting, said Antigua.

Antigua said the flow of traffic in Mandaue remained "smooth" despite the truck ban in place this past week.

He also said trucks, vans, and trailers with six wheels and up are still not allowed to pass Plaridel Street, especially if they do not have any transactions in the area.

"Katong mga trucks nga wala gyu'y tuyo sa Plaridel, wala sila'y transaction within the ceremonial route, ari lang gyud sila sa M.C. Briones agi," Antigua said.

However, Antigua reiterated that truckers can still cross the ceremonial route, provided that there are no APEC delegates traveling.

"Pero ato ni silang (drivers) gisabot daan nga if ever naa'y guest or bisita nga moagi, stop gyud sila. Pero okay ra sila as long as naa sila'y maagian," Antigua said.

He also advised the drivers of trucks and vehicles with six wheels and up to follow the truck ban as they will be issued temporary operator's permit by the personnel of the Land Transportation Office if they will be caught violating the order.

He also said the Task Group Cebu has, so far, appreciated the efforts conducted by Mandaue in easing the flow of traffic, contrary to what had been expected prior to the APEC ministerial meetings.

Antigua added that there was no problem regarding the traffic in Mandaue, particularly when the APEC meetings started, based on the task group's assessment.

Antigua also said the city was able to manage the traffic as the flow of big vehicles has been divided.

Antigua said he has suggested to Mayor Jonas Cortes to continue the truck ban in Plaridel Street as it helped in easing the flow of traffic.

In Lapu-lapu

Meanwhile, there will be no extension of truck ban hours and re-routing of vehicles in Lapu-Lapu City during the APEC ministerial meeting.

Today, Lapu-Lapu is the venue of the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by the Philippine government's National Economic Development Authority. Tomorrow, the city will host the Finance and Central Bank Deputies' Meeting.

Frank Brazil, chief of the City Traffic Management Systems, said traffic enforcers will be deployed along the main road to ensure the vehicles carrying the APEC delegates will arrive to their venue on time.

"Lisod mag-truck ban pareha sa Mandaue City or Cebu City. Diri sa Lapu-Lapu, wala man ta'y alternative nga mapaagian sa mga trucks," Brazil said.

"We are asking the drivers to cooperate because APEC will bring benefits not only to Lapu-Lapu City, but also to Cebu and the entire country," he added.

At least 70 traffic enforcers are deployed from the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and Marcelo Fernan Bridge going to the road of barangays Punta Engaño, Marigondon and Maribago.

More than 30 traffic enforcers will also be present in some parts of the city, such as Tamiya area in Barangay Basak and Barangay Poblacion.

Brazil said even if the city did not extend its regular truck ban hours, the vehicles used by APEC delegates have not been caught in heavy traffic in the city.

The city's regular truck ban hours are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Brazil said there have been no accidents and traffic-related incidents involving APEC vehicles recorded in the city since the arrival of the delegates last August 22.