Following opposition from truckers’ groups, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has put on hold implementation of a proposed December 3 to 26 daytime truck ban.
Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) president Ruperto Bayocot said his association is willing to compromise with MMDA on the issue. “We have no problem with MMDA imposing the daytime truck ban as long as they recognize and implement Metro Manila Council (MMC) Ordinance 5,” Bayocot told PortCalls. MMC is the policy-making arm of MMDA.
MMDA earlier proposed a truck ban from 4 am to 9 pm along the capital’s major thoroughfares over the holidays when traffic jams are commonplace. The existing ban runs from 6 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 9 pm on weekdays. The expanded ban will cover major thoroughfares, including EDSA. Exempt are cargo vehicles carrying perishable items.
“My group is willing to meet half way. I think this (implementing MMC Ordinance 5) will be a good compromise as MMDA can impose its proposal to reduce traffic by limiting trucks only in some areas,” Bayocot said. “Otherwise, we are strongly opposing the proposed measure.”
Bayocot said imposing MMC Ordinance 5, which amended MMDA Resolution No. 07-05 Series of 2007 (Truck Ban Ordinance), would reduce port congestion, improve traffic, facilitate movement of containerized cargoes and ultimately lower logistics costs.
MMC Ordinance 5 identified alternate routes cargo truckers can use from the Port Area on weekdays, even during the truck ban.
Much earlier, the Makati city government exempted trucks from the ban along the Makati portion of South Superhighway but few have taken advantage of the measure. The Manila city government has so far refused to exempt routes under its authority (specifically Quirino Ave) from the ban, resulting in lack of Manila road connection to the expressway in Makati.
