Bicol traders hit Albay truck ban seen as obstacle to economic growth

LEGAZPI CITY –– Businessmen in Bicol have slammed the Albay truck ban ordinance, calling the order adversarial to economic growth as business is still recovering from the negative impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a letter signed by 261 members, the Albay Chamber of Commerce Industry (ACCI), rejected the ordinance and urged Gov. Al Francis Bichara to cancel the truck ban that prohibits trucks traversing national roads from entering the province for six hours, or during peak hours in the morning and afternoon.

Rosemarie Quinto Rey, ACCI president, said the local chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), together with other non-ACCI members, is asking the governor to “relieve us from the possible adverse effect” of the truck ban.

The ban has been in effect in the province since the middle of July.

The ACCI lamented that the chamber was never asked to attend the public hearing when the ordinance was being crafted and only learned about it after it was passed in February.

Bichara signed in February this year Provincial Ordinance No. 011-2020, which bans trucks traversing the Albay sections of national roads, mainly the Maharlika Highway, from 6 a.m to 8 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and providing a penalty for violation.

The ordinance was passed to ease traffic on roads leading mainly to the city center of Legazpi and other urban centers in the province during peak or rush hours.

Sought for comment, Bichara said he would meet the various business groups next to hear their arguments and find possible solutions to their concern.

LZB