La Union SP Tackles Traffic Policies on Outer Lanes
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC–SP | Photo By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC-SP | Date: February 10, 2020
Assistant Regional Director Kathleen Salayog of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region I explains the salient features of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation Code during the Joint Committee Hearing of the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety on February 10, 2020 at the SP Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The Committee Hearing was conducted to clarify issues relative to the new policies on slow-moving vehicles staying on the outer lanes when traversing along the major roads and national highway.
Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation Code was tackled during the two-part Joint Committee Hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety; Committee on Transportation; Committee on Laws, Rules and Privileges; Committee on Public Works and Utilities; and Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Management and Relief Services on February 10 and 12, 2020 at the SP Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The said hearing was conducted to enlighten the SP Members on the new policy being implemented that slow-moving vehicles such as tricycles, motorcycles, electric bikes, and bicycles should stay on the outer lanes when traversing along the major roads and national highway, likewise, the agency responsible in installing signages.
Assistant Regional Director Kathleen Salayog of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region I who served as the resource speaker clarified that RA 4136 does not provide that the LTO will be responsible in determining who will use the roads, but it’s the Local Government Units (LGUs) through a local law or ordinance as per JMC No. 01-2017 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Transportation with an appropriate advise from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In the second committee hearing, in attendance were representatives from DPWH, LTO and LGUs that have passed and implemented their respective ordinances namely: Bauang, Caba, Luna and Naguilian. The representatives from the LGUs of Bauang and Naguilian admitted that they have designated the outer lanes for slow-moving vehicles backed- up by a local ordinance. They also assured that they are doing their very best in helping the province to ease traffic in their respective LGUs by coming up with legislative measures and Public Transport Route Plan.
District Engineer Emil Ganaden of the First Engineering District of the DPWH informed that they haven’t opened the outer lanes for slow moving vehicles because there are still a lot of uncompleted road works and obstructions. The DPWH issued a memorandum to install markings and divide the outer lane to be used as shoulder and sidewalk to avoid accidents. He also suggested to suspend the implementation of such policy until the completion of road works and clearing operations by the DPWH.
As to the recommendations of the committees, it was ruled that a written inquiry will be made to the Philippine National Police as to the posters/notices installed along the national highway; request the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) to have a concerted effort in informing the public the use of inner and outer lanes and to enact a resolution reminding the RLAs concerned of their duties and responsibilities for a more harmonious and synchronized implementation of transportation laws and regulations.
Said recommendations will be submitted to the SP through a Committee Report for consideration and approval.
