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Friday, March 29, 2024

377 light trucks cited over ban

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TRAFFIC enforcers apprehended a total of 377 truck drivers on Monday, the first day of full implementation of the light truck ban on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and the entire stretch of Shaw Boulevard, which traverses the cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig.

“On the first day of the full implementation of the uniform light trucks ban, our traffic constables apprehended a total of 377 violators from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the southbound of Edsa,” said acting chairman Thomas Orbos of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Most of those apprehended were light delivery and pickup trucks.

The ban, according to Orbos, is being enforced in the following areas:

• Southbound lane Edsa (from North Avenue in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City) and whole stretch of Shaw Boulevard (cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig) from 6 a.m.-10 am.

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• Northbound lane of Edsa (from Magallanes to North Avenue) and whole stretch of Shaw Boulevard (Mandaluyong and Pasig) from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Orbos said the MMDA came up with the measure after members of the Metro Manila Council, the agency’s governing board and the policy-making body, composed of the 17 local chief executives in the metropolis, approved a resolution banning light trucks from plying the two major thoroughfares to improve the traffic situation.

Under the 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 stated.

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.

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. 

Aside the light truck ban, there is also a total ban for heavy trucks on the entire stretch of Edsa from Magallanes to North Avenue except Sundays and holidays.

The total truck ban is being imposed by virtue of the Special Traffic Committee Resolution Number 03 Series of 2015 approved by the MMC.

The ban covers trailer trucks, stake trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks/mixers, long bed trucks, wing vans, closed vans, panel trucks, and other similar vehicles.

The resolution stated that the total ban on trucks and heavy vehicles, regardless of weight, shall still be applicable and observed on Edsa and on the three central business districts namely Ortigas, Makati, and Bonifacio Global City.

Two months ago, the MMDA decided to exempt from the total truck ban the trucks carrying petroleum products, citing its importance to the economy and transportation sector.

The MMDA decided to exempt fuel delivery trucks after a closed-door meeting with representatives of the Petroleum Industry of the Philippines.

PIP representatives, on behalf of the major oil companies, requested that their delivery trucks carrying aviation fuel be allowed to refill fuel depots at airport as these storage facilities cannot hold large quantities to last for an extended period of time.

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