MMDA to implement total truck ban along Roxas Boulevard

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will start enforcing a six-month long total truck ban along Roxas Boulevard on December 3, according to a Monday report on GMA 7 news program “24 Oras”.



The truck ban hopes to ease traffic in the area during activities such as the Midnight Mass, the Metro Manila Film Festival parade of stars in December, the Papal visit in January, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

MMDA Traffic Engineering head Engr. Noemi Recio explained that Roxas Boulevard used to be off limits to trucks. “Dinagdag lang natin, eh,” reasoned Recio

“Yoon namang nakapaloob diyan na mga ruta, 24 hours yan na walang truck regulation hours. Yan, eh, from south papuntang port area and vice versa. And from NLEX papuntang port area and vice versa.”

The Manila city government did not oppose the ban, as it did not believe truck bans caused port congestion.

The Alliance of Truck Owners Organization, meanwhile, said it was surprised by the MMDA's ban. "Ang alam namin dapat umiiwas muna from an activity na makakadagdag sa port congestion. 'Yang Roxas Boulevard ay isa sa mga main conduits papunta sa South," organization president Ricky Papa said.

On Tuesday, to further ease traffic congestion during the holiday season, the MMDA will launch a “hybrid Christmas lane loop” alternative routes.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said Metro Manila's mayors had yet to sign-off on the Christmas alternative routes.

The agency will also ask Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to extend operations of the Metro Rail Transit up to 11:30 pm.

The MMDA ferry service will open at 4:00 am starting Dec. 16. — Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/DVM, GMA News