Cargo trucks are not covered by the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, otherwise known as number coding scheme, but still subject to the truck ban, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified.
Cargo trucks with Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) appointments are, however, exempt from both the number coding and truck ban schemes, the latter based on MMDA Resolution No. 02-2016 and MMDA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 04-2016, it added.
The clarification was sought by some stakeholders confused by a press statement issued by the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) on October 27.
The statement, which reiterated the implementation of the expanded no-window policy under the number coding scheme, did not include cargo trucks in its list of exempted vehicles, even while citing MC No. 03-2011—which implements the number coding scheme—as basis.
Under the “no window hours” policy, vehicles affected by the number coding scheme for the day will not be allowed on certain roads and areas from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, and, starting November 2, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
But Section 5 (Exemptions) of MC No. 03-2011 automatically exempts from the number coding scheme cargo trucks and other heavy vehicles, whether empty or loaded, as defined in Section 2 of the amended Metro Manila Council Ordinance No. 78-04, and which shall continue to be covered by a truck ban ruling (Metropolitan Manila Authority Ordinance No. 5-1994).
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on October 28 wrote an urgent memorandum to MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos seeking clarification as to whether trucks exempt from truck ban may continue to be exempt from MMDA resolutions implementing the no-window-hours policy of the expanded number coding system, which starts November 2.
MMDA noted there are no new measures issued lifting the exemption given to trucks with TABS appointment. In a Twitter update by the Department of Transportation, it also noted that trucks operating under TABS are not covered by either the number coding scheme or the no-window-hours policy.
TABS is a government-sanctioned web-based system that manages truck movements in and out of Manila International Container Terminal and Manila South Harbor. – Roumina Pablo
