BAGUIO CITY – Now the downside of the experimental traffic scheme covering Aurora Hill, Leonilla Hill, and Trancoville… or is it?

Members of the Veterans Park Carwash Boys (VPCB) last week appealed to mayor Mauricio Domogan to give them a ‘window of opportunity’ to do their trade along 66^th Infantry Loop, Veteran’s Park

The letter signed by the 21-strong group dated August 23 comes in the heels of an announcement by Domogan the experimental traffic scheme covering blue trunkline have practically solved grievances aired by green trunkline jitneys.

Trancoville, Aurora Hill, and Leonila Hill jitneys fall under the ‘blue trunkline’. The PNR-Hillside jitney services, on the other hand, are categorized under the ‘green trunkline’.

The mayor signed Administrative Order 119, series of 2010 implementing Resolution 156-2010 laying down rules for the experiment. The experiment is for 20-days, expiring on September 6.

Consequently, rerouting of blue trunkline jitneys necessitated clearing of the easement used by VPCB for washing vehicles.

VPCB in their letter implored the mayor to:

1) Allow them to wash vehicles everyday from wee hours ‘til 7:00am, vacating during rush hours and going back in the area when gridlock fizzles out;

2) Authorize the group to maintain cleanliness; do beautification activities in the area; and guide the same from vandals; and

3) Tell cops to ease up on them since their livelihood is being compromised.

In years past, it could be remembered members of local World War II(WWII) veterans groups have protested conduct of car washing activities in the area branding the same ‘deplorable’.

In fact, United States Armed Forces in the Philippines - Northern Luzon, Inc. (USAFIP-NLI) secretary and adjutant Prospera Lee, during meetings involving commemoration of heroism of their fallen comrades have consistently been reminding local officials to do something about people who are converting the hallowed grounds into a hollow piece of land.

Now, it is only by virtue of the experiment that their remonstrations have finally been addressed, albeit indirectly.

The mayor for his part referred the appeal to the local Transportation and Traffic Management Committee (TTMC) for study and recommendations.

TTMC is yet to conclude their meeting as of press deadline.**isl