Philippine truckers will appeal for a one-year extension of the moratorium on implementation of the anti-overloading policy for trucks.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last August extended to January 31, 2015 the suspension of the enforcement of the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (GVW) on trucks with codes 12-2 and 12-3.
This was on request of truckers who needed more time to acquire additional equipment to conform with the amended implementing rules and regulations on overloading under Republic Act No. 8794, also known as “An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle’s Charge on Owners of All Types of Vehicle and for other Purposes.”
Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) president Ruperto Bayocot said they will write to DPWH to request for another year of extension.
CTAP director Alberto Suansing said he had also talked about the matter to DPWH Bureau of Design, which handles the implementation of the policy.
According to Bayocot, more than 50% of trucks nationwide are under codes 12-2 and 12-3, and the only way for truckers to comply with RA 8794 is if the allowable GVW for such trucks is upgraded to 54,000 kilograms from 41,000 kilograms as specified in the revised IRR.
Code 12-2 trucks are semi-trailers with three axles on the towing trucks and two axles on the trailer, for a total of 18 wheels, while trucks falling under the 12-3 configuration are semi-trailers with three axles on the towing vehicle and three axles on the trailer, for a total of 22 wheels.
Under the revised IRR of R.A. 8794, trucks and trailers under these codes with loads exceeding the prescribed GVW of 41,500 kilograms and 42,000 kilograms, respectively, and load per axle of 13,500 kilograms are prohibited from traveling and considered as overloaded.
An amount equivalent to 25% of the motor vehicles user’s charge in the motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office will be imposed on apprehended overloading trucks.
According to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, overloading has caused severe damage on roads. Some of the country’s bridges, such as Del Pan used by trucks to get to and from Manila ports, are not designed to carry dead load or vehicles waiting idle on the structure. – Roumina Pablo
Image courtesy of Gualberto107 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
