Ag Sur to purchase weighing equipment to stop truck overloading, destruction of roads
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 30 (PIA) – Concerned about the deterioration of national roads and highways caused by overloading of hauling trucks, especially those carrying forest products, the provincial government of this land-locked timber and agricultural-rich province in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) is planning to purchase weighing equipment to put an end to the problem, it was learned Friday.
Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to help the province on “how to acquire and how much will the weigh bridge cost”.
The provincial chief executive, during a peace and order council meeting here, expressed belief that acquiring this weigh bridge is the only way to determine if the truck loaded with heavy materials such as forest products comply with the load limit and thus stop the further destruction of roads and highways.
To materialize this plan, Gov. Plaza will seek financial help from the two congresswomen in the province.
“I will seek the help of our two congresswomen. This is the only way we can penalize those who violate the law of loading,” stressed the provincial governor.
Plaza is planning to have two weigh bridges in the province – one will be placed at the boundary of Trento town near Compostela Valley province and the other one will be placed in Tabon-Tabon, Sibagat town also nearby the boundary of Butuan City.
Reports reaching the provinces’ peace and order council meeting disclosed that at least 20 to 30 ten-wheeler trucks, mostly logging trucks pass by the national highway loaded with falcata logs bound for milling plants in the cities of Butuan, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro.
During that meeting, members of the peace council observed that all trucks loaded with falcata logs are overloaded and this primarily causes the destruction of the national highway which connects Butuan City to Davao City. “No erring trucker was penalized,” the peace members said in unison.
As this developed, the provincial officials led by Gov. Plaza called on tree planters and truckers to strictly observe load limits when transporting planted species of logs to avoid further destruction of the roads and to avert accidents.
So far, only one weigh bridge of the DPWH is operating in Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City.
Meanwhile, the anti-truck overloading operation of the DPWH Region XIII, along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Philippine National Police (PNP) went into high gear on the third day as more violators were apprehended, it was also learned Friday.
“We will strengthen our operation here and we will not stop until the Republic Act 8794 of the Anti-Overloading Act is thoroughly implemented,” said Region XIII DPWH Regional Director Danilo E. Versola. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)
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Multi-million-dollar aquaculture/hydroponics project up in Butuan City
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) – This city will see the rise of a multi-million-dollar aquaculture and hydroponics farm this year.
Greenphil Aqua-Culture and Hydroponics Holding, Inc., through its subsidiary, the Caraga Green Aqua Farm and Hydroponics Development Corporation, is already moving ahead to construct their modern aquaculture and hydroponics facilities at Barangay Kinamlutan, this city.
Officials of the firm already paid a courtesy call to city officials, conducted on-site inspection and in the process of requiring city permit, documentation and other business and legal papers for their operation within the year.
Greenphil will develop and produce high-quality, export-oriented seafood products and fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants to meet the rising global demands.
Once operational, the project will provide numerous jobs and propel the local fishery industry to global competitiveness.
“This investment is a big factor for the city’s favor, in terms of income and employment generation,” said City Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima on Friday. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)
