The ongoing dispute among the members and officers of the Pampanga Truckers Federation Inc. (PTFI) has already become comical and entertaining. Yesterday (Wednesay), the group of PTFI President Mike Tapang staged a rally in favor of Ordinance No. 261 or the ordinance regulating the sand and gravel industry in the province.
In a recent press conference at the De Paolo’s Restaurant in Angeles City, Tapang revealed that they have about 80 regular members, all of them are truck owners. He clarified earlier information that their group has about 700 members. Tapang said the claim of his detractors led by Dong Laxamana and Ariel Laxa, both PTFI board of trustees, is “too unbelievable.” The said 700 may refer, he said, to all the stakeholders including drivers, helpers and their families, but not to regular members.
Tapang’s group decided to hold their own rally because the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has opened a new hearing for the proposed repeal of Ordinance No. 261. In the past weeks, the faction of Dong Laxamana and Laxa led huge rallies at the Capitol pressuring Gov. Ed Panlilio to stop the implementation of the ordinance. They claim that most of their members were not consulted even as they opposed the downsizing of their trucks in accordance to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ordinance.
But the governor, of course, was very firm in his decision to implement the law as it will benefit a larger number of Pampanga constituents. As soon as Ordinance No. 261 is fully implemented, the anti-overloading law will be strictly imposed, saving millions of pesos of the government from being used in road maintenance and repair. To recall, the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luyzon (ADCL) and other NGOs have lobbied for the strict implementation of the anti-overloading law to prevent further destruction and damage of our national and provincial roads.
Now going back to the comical part. During Tapang’s press conference, several video were played showing Laxamana and Laxa raising their hands in favor of Ordinance 261, among other board of trustees who recently opposed its implementation.
Ironic? Yes. Comical? More so. Why in the world would they oppose Ordinance 261 when a video footage clearly showed them raising hands in favor of the ordinance during their federation meeting last November 24, 2008 at Max Restaurant GSO Road in the City of San Fernando? What went wrong between the board of trustees and Tapang?
In another note, the SP must be careful in issuing statements about possible repeal or amendment for the simple reason that they unanimously passed the ordinance last year. The proposed ordinance was reviewed in regular sessions making it impossible for them not to scrutinize it and carefully weigh all the concerns of all stakeholders affected by the ordinance. It would be very awkward and impractical for the SP to amend or repeal the ordinance because such action will boomerang to them. Many may even question their integrity and credibility. But of course, in our experience with the SP, I believe that they indeed studied the ordinance well before they unanimously approved it last year. So I guess, there will be no amendment or repeal to be done this time.
As far as the pro-Ordinance 261 are concerned, they have the number to pressure the provincial government for its full implementation. Tapang said if the minority group of Laxa and Laxamana can do it, then they could pressure the provincial officials too to implement the law.
Whatever happens after this is up to the Capitol. My word to Panlilio is good luck. Just follow the will of the majority. It is anyway the dictum of democracy.
In a recent press conference at the De Paolo’s Restaurant in Angeles City, Tapang revealed that they have about 80 regular members, all of them are truck owners. He clarified earlier information that their group has about 700 members. Tapang said the claim of his detractors led by Dong Laxamana and Ariel Laxa, both PTFI board of trustees, is “too unbelievable.” The said 700 may refer, he said, to all the stakeholders including drivers, helpers and their families, but not to regular members.
Tapang’s group decided to hold their own rally because the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has opened a new hearing for the proposed repeal of Ordinance No. 261. In the past weeks, the faction of Dong Laxamana and Laxa led huge rallies at the Capitol pressuring Gov. Ed Panlilio to stop the implementation of the ordinance. They claim that most of their members were not consulted even as they opposed the downsizing of their trucks in accordance to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ordinance.
But the governor, of course, was very firm in his decision to implement the law as it will benefit a larger number of Pampanga constituents. As soon as Ordinance No. 261 is fully implemented, the anti-overloading law will be strictly imposed, saving millions of pesos of the government from being used in road maintenance and repair. To recall, the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luyzon (ADCL) and other NGOs have lobbied for the strict implementation of the anti-overloading law to prevent further destruction and damage of our national and provincial roads.
Now going back to the comical part. During Tapang’s press conference, several video were played showing Laxamana and Laxa raising their hands in favor of Ordinance 261, among other board of trustees who recently opposed its implementation.
Ironic? Yes. Comical? More so. Why in the world would they oppose Ordinance 261 when a video footage clearly showed them raising hands in favor of the ordinance during their federation meeting last November 24, 2008 at Max Restaurant GSO Road in the City of San Fernando? What went wrong between the board of trustees and Tapang?
In another note, the SP must be careful in issuing statements about possible repeal or amendment for the simple reason that they unanimously passed the ordinance last year. The proposed ordinance was reviewed in regular sessions making it impossible for them not to scrutinize it and carefully weigh all the concerns of all stakeholders affected by the ordinance. It would be very awkward and impractical for the SP to amend or repeal the ordinance because such action will boomerang to them. Many may even question their integrity and credibility. But of course, in our experience with the SP, I believe that they indeed studied the ordinance well before they unanimously approved it last year. So I guess, there will be no amendment or repeal to be done this time.
As far as the pro-Ordinance 261 are concerned, they have the number to pressure the provincial government for its full implementation. Tapang said if the minority group of Laxa and Laxamana can do it, then they could pressure the provincial officials too to implement the law.
Whatever happens after this is up to the Capitol. My word to Panlilio is good luck. Just follow the will of the majority. It is anyway the dictum of democracy.
