Erap to truckers group: Nobody is above the law

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Monday shrugged off the threat of a “truck holiday” by some 5,000 freight forwarders during the first day of a citywide daytime truck ban.

“Kahit ano ang gawin nila, hindi maaaring hindi sila sumunod,” Estrada said during the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel press conference. “The law is the law [and] nobody is above the law.”

The former Philippine president added: “Dapat hindi lang puro negosyo and nasa isip nila. Dapat maging maaliwalas itong ating kalsada."

He pointed out that a dialogue between stakeholders and the government took place months before the ordinance's implementation.

Under the new city policy, which began implemention on Monday, trucks are banned to ply the streets from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. However, they were given a window period to travel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Estrada explained that the truck ban was the city's move to decongest traffic in Manila especially that the Skyway 3 project has commenced. The project, which started February, will last for at least two years.  

The freight forwarders, meanwhile, opposed the truck ban and warned of a "truck holiday" in protest of the new policy.

But Estrada just dismissed the threat. “Kahit magwelga sila nang magwelga [ay] 'di makakaapekto sa amin 'yun,” he said.

Resistance expected

Vice Mayor Isko Moreno likewise belittled the truck operators' threat. "Hindi naman pwede na lagi nilang tinatakot ang gobyerno at magra-rally sila. Truck holiday? Pwede bang one year nila gawin yun?" he said.

Moreno claimed that the trucking industry in Manila does not provide income to the city since they are under the Philippine Ports Authority.

Moreno also noted that the truck ban in Manila may pave the way for the freight forwarders to consider utilizing the Batangas and Subic Bay Ports.

Instead of protesting, Estrada asked the group to follow the ordinance, noting that the local government is open to changes if the ban proved to be ineffective.

“You follow the ordinance first before we talk again. 'Pag nakita na hindi okay ang ordinance then we will remedy,” he said.

“With reform, you expect resistance,” he added, noting that the bus ban in Manila implemented last year was also criticized.

After the truck and bus ban in the City of Manila, Estrada revealed that he is also studying to crack down colorum jeepneys or public utility jeepneys without proper licenses.

"Next time colorum na dyip naman," he said. "Mahirap na pagsabay-sabayin dahil naumpisahan na namin 'yung truck ban."

Asked if he is also studying the possibility to ban tricycles in the city, he said:  "Hindi natin tatanggalin 'yan dahil 'yan ay hanapbuhay ng mga taong mahihirap.” — KBK, GMA News