ILOILO – Quarry operators, haulers and truck drivers have been reminded that compliance with roadside inspections is mandatory and essential to public safety.
Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) head Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco Jr. stressed that drivers transporting quarry materials have no reason to evade checkpoints if their cargo declarations and transport documents are complete and accurate.
“Kon kumpleto man lang kamo sang dokumento kag insakto lang man ang declaration sang dokumento, gina-waive off gid kamo sang taskforce. Pero kon kulang gani inyo dokumento, ti, dira nagaka-problema kay required man kamo sang laye,” Buyco said.
He explained that inspections primarily involve verifying delivery receipts and transport permits issued by PGENRO.
These documents identify the type and declared volume of quarry materials being transported, their source and the authorized permit holder.
Dump trucks found lacking the required documents may be turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP), pending verification of their papers or payment of applicable penalties by their owners.
Buyco emphasized that inspections are not intended to intimidate drivers or arbitrarily penalize legitimate quarry operators.
“Wala sang dapat kahadlokan kon gina-flag down sang taskforce. Wala man sang gina-aresto, wala man sang ginasapote kag wala sang ginatiro. So, there’s nothing to fear tani. Amo lang na, submit peacefully kay kon everything is in order, wala man problema,” he said.
The PGENRO chief further clarified that the Provincial Anti-Overloading Task Force’s responsibilities extend beyond monitoring the transportation of quarry materials.
Its enforcement mandate also covers overloaded trucks, road obstructions and violations of provincial ordinances concerning road safety.
The task force operates under the supervision of the Office of the Provincial Administrator and the Office of the Governor.
Buyco issued the reminder as the Iloilo provincial government tracks down a dump truck driver who evaded an anti-overloading inspection in Zarraga town, triggering a pursuit that endangered government enforcers and prompted authorities to consider possible legal action.
The incident, captured in a video that went viral on social media, occurred on Saturday afternoon, October 10, in Barangay Dawis, where a dump truck transporting sand refused to stop for inspection by the Iloilo Provincial Anti-Overloading Task Force.
Buyco said authorities were coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to establish the identity of the truck’s registered owner and eventually locate the driver.
“Naga-back track kita subong sa owner sang truck. We will also check with the LTO kon ano ang registration sini. Once, ma-identify ta na ang owner, we will get the information who the driver is and then dira kita maga-umpisa (referring to possible case or violation),” Buyco said.
The Provincial Legal Office is also evaluating what legal action may be taken against the driver under existing laws and provincial ordinances, particularly because the incident allegedly placed the lives of task force personnel at risk.
Buyco said identifying the vehicle’s owner would be crucial in determining who was behind the wheel during the incident and establishing whether violations had been committed./PN
