-
The Quezon City government will implement a partial truck ban along Visayas and Mindanao Avenues from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Banned during these hours are trucks with six or more wheels and other vehicles classified as heavy vehicles, such as buses
-
The truck ban will not be enforced on Sundays and regular or special holidays
-
Violators will be fined P5,000 or face imprisonment of one year, or both
The Quezon City government will implement a partial truck ban along areas in Visayas and Mindanao Avenues under its territorial jurisdiction to ease traffic congestion, especially during rush hour.
City mayor Maria Josefina Tanya Belmonte announced on December 17 that she has approved Ordinance No. SP-2984, S-2020, prohibiting trucks and other heavy vehicles from traversing Visayas and Mindanao Avenues from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Naging paborito nang daanan ng truck ang mga nasabing kalsada dahil mas madali silang nakararating sa iba ibang lugar sa kamaynilaan,” Belmonte said in a statement. [Trucks favor these roads because they can reach different areas in the metropolis faster.]
She explained the situation has led to traffic congestion especially during rush hour, to the inconvenience of motorists and commuters, prompting the partial truck ban.
The windows provided in the ordinance, introduced by majority floor leader Franz Pumaren and councilors Donato Matias, Eric Medina, and Victor Ferrer Jr., are in accordance with the modified truck ban policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
MMDA on December 14 reinstated the truck ban on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including a total truck ban on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue from Magallanes to North Avenue, upon request of Metro Manila mayors seeking to alleviate the heavy traffic this holiday season.
The truck ban had been suspended last March to allow the smooth flow of goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covered by the Quezon City ban are trucks with six or more wheels, regardless of purpose, nature or use, and other vehicles classified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as heavy vehicles, such as buses.
Belmonte clarified, however, that the truck ban will not be enforced during Sundays and declared regular or special holidays.
Exempted from the ordinance are fire trucks, garbage/hauling/dump trucks, police/military trucks or buses, and other similar motor vehicles owned by or under contract with the government to render public service works.
Violators will be fined P5,000 or be imprisoned for one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The ordinance tasked the Department of Public Order and Safety, Quezon City Police District Traffic Department, and MMDA to strictly implement the partial truck ban.
