Council approves on 1st reading truck ban under Marcelo Fernan Bridge

The Marcelo Fernan bridge. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

A draft ordinance that seeks to prohibit trucks and vans carrying flammable substances from parking under the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge has been approved by the Mandaue City Council on first reading to prevent fire and explosion that can harm vehicles and civilians passing through the bridge.

Now pending its final approval and implementation by the first quarter of 2017, the proposed Ordinance No. 6-2016, or the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge Parking Prohibition Ordinance, was authored by Councilor Elstone Dabon to prohibit drivers of vans, trucks, heavy equipment and tankers who have made it a habit to park under the bridge during their downtime and cook their meals there using butane canisters.

“Several drivers of trucks, vans, heavy equipment and tankers carrying flammable fuel or gases park below the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge and cook their meals using butane canisters which pose great risk to life and property should any explosion occur,” Dabon said in his proposed ordinance.

The proposed measure will impose a fine of P500 for violating drivers.

The area underneath the bridge can accommodate up to ten trucks. Truck drivers have been parking in the area for almost ten years now, according to one of the residents near the area.