Truck ban to affect businesses, consumers, freight forwarders group says

(Updated 10:48 a.m., Sept. 16) Trucking companies have aired concerns over the negative impact that the expanded truck ban in Metro Manila could bring on businesses and consumers alike. 

 

The truck ban will hamper the delivery of goods especially during the Christmas season, Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) Chairman Rodolfo De Ocampo told GMA News Online on Tuesday.

 

"Hindi lang trucking companies ang maapektuhan kung hindi maging manufacturers at distributors na hindi makakatanggap ng deliveries on time. Kung kakaonti ang supply, pwede ring tumaas ang presyo ng mga bilihin," he added. 

 

De Ocampo said the number of deliveries could fall by half because of the expanded travel restriction for trucks in Metro Manila.

 

"This truck ban will definitely hurt us since it will affect our efficiency in operations," Pambato Cargo Forwarder Philippines Inc. General Manager Ariel Ignacio told GMA News Online in an e-mailed correspondence.

 

On Tuesday, the government started prohibiting trucks from plying all Metro Manila roads except the northern route. The ban is enforced from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, except during holidays.

 

The measure aims to ease the heavy traffic plaguing Metro Manila amid the numerous government infrastructure projects and in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in November. 

 

But the truck ban could supposedly worsen the traffic situation in Metro Manila and even swell port congestion.

 

"Sa sobrang traffic sa Osmeña Highway, halimbawa, aabutin talaga ng trucks ang ban habang nasa daan. Magkakaroon ng port congestion dahil mag-accumulate ang loaded trucks sa port area para maiwasan ang ban," De Ocampo said. 

 

The CTAP official proposed alternative solutions to limit truck movements in Metro Manila, including the provision of holding areas near ports and the extension of warehouse operation hours to allow deliveries during the night.  —ELR/KG, GMA News