The multiple-approach to easing traffic in Bacolod during the holidays, with some amendments to the truck ban, will kick off Monday, December 12, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said Sunday.
“This will be on an experimental basis, if it doesn’t work then we adjust, rest assured that I will be on top of this and make sure it’s properly implemented,” Benitez said.
After a consultation with stakeholders from the business sector on Saturday, Benitez said the Bacolod circumferential road truck ban that was initially planned to be implemented from 6 a.m. to 9.pm. was amended.
Under the amended rule there will be a complete truck ban from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. during week days.
He said from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the entry of trucks at the circumferential road will be regulated with 5 minute intervals in between so that there won’t be too many traversing the area at the same time.
There will be no truck ban during the weekend.
Other aspects of the multiple strategy is the clearing of obstacles and illegally parked vehicles along major thoroughfares and the one way system, he added.
Frank Carbon, executive director of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the amendments to the truck ban hours is a welcome development.
The business community welcomes the move to ease traffic in Bacolod with the influx of Christmas shoppers from other parts of the province for the holidays, Carbon said.
“The new traffic rules will make it easier to move around, we want people from outside Bacolod to come and spend here,” Carbon said.*