THE no parking policy for vegetable truckers has caused a market slowdown of trading at Kilometer 5, Baguio City.
Agusta Balanoy of the Benguet Farmers Marketing Cooperative said the effect of the order has caused confusion among traders and truckers.
“They don’t arrive on time sa (at the) end market kaya nalulugi sila (that’s why they loss), (what they do is) they control purchases, kahit kokonti ang (despite of low) supply, stagnant na mababa ang presyo (price low) most especially carrots, cabbage, and wombok,” said Balanoy.
Last week, Mayor Romeo Salda banned trucks to trade at Kilometer 5 and opened the space to pay parking.
The municipality took charge over the parking lot and had two personnel to man the spaces allowing parking for small vehicles and ridding the place from big vegetable trucks.
Balanoy said there is no trading happening in the parking lot, only unloading of produce unto carts, which bring it to waiting buyers.
“Nahihirapan sila mag hakot dahil malayo pinaghahakotan, walang kariton, di nila agad napupuno ang truck nila, so they would rather have lesser purchase kesa mahuli sila sa market (They are having a hard time transporting, there’s no cart, so they prefer to have lesser purchase than being late in the market),” added Balanoy.
Balanoy alleged the consultation, which happened before the ban did not follow the sentiment of stakeholders present and the mayor just went on with the ban of parking despite opposition.
“He implemented despite the manifestation and the counter proposals,” Balanoy laments.
At present, the parking lot is being used for small vehicle parking and booths by the cutflower growers, who were displaced by the construction of a government building at the market area.
The local government has implemented the no parking policy for trucks as a solution to the traffic problem in the area, which is compounded by trucks parking at the space which deprives smaller vehicles to utilize. (Maria Elena Catajan)