THE Metro Manila Development Authority will conduct next week a dry-run operation of a new measure regulating light trucks on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and the entire stretch of Shaw Boulevard, which traverses the cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig.
This after members of the Metro Manila Council, the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA, composed of the 17 local chief executives in the metropolis, approved the resolution banning light trucks from plying the two major thoroughfares to improve the traffic situation.
During the recent MMC meeting, the Metro Manila mayors gave the go-signal to MMDA to conduct the test run of the light trucks ban starting March 15 until June 15.
Under the approved MMC resolution, trucks which have a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kgs. and below will not be allowed to pass Edsa and Shaw Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The uniform light trucks ban will be enforced from Monday to Saturday except Sundays and holidays, the resolution said.
It added that light trucks carrying perishable goods are exempted but they still need to apply for exemption.
Also exempted from the light trucks ban are government and emergency vehicles such as firetrucks and ambulances.
Under the resolution, violators will be slapped with a P2,000 fine.
MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said there is a necessity to regulate the light trucks on the roads which have also contributed significantly to traffic congestion in the metropolis.
“This is only one of the several measures that has been approved by the local executives during the meeting in an effort to further improve traffic condition in Metro Manila,” Orbos said.