Truck ban back in Metro Manila starting Sept. 15

Starting Tuesday, September 15, trucks will no longer be allowed in certain routes in Metro Manila in the morning and afternoon rush hour to ease the flow of traffic, a report on "24 Oras" said Monday.

The truck ban will be implemented from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, except holidays, the report said.

During these hours, trucks will not be allowed on all Metro Manila roads except on the northern truck route, where trucks are allowed 24/7.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Francis Tolentino said the metrowide truck ban is hardly a new scheme.

"'Yung truck ban iri-reimpose lang 'yung truck regulation circa 1978, para lang sa southern route — Pier to SLEX, Cavitex," he said. "'Yung northern truck lane—Pier to A. Bonifacio, C-3, NLEX— tuloy pa rin 24/7."

The "24 Oras" report said the truck ban aims to ease the flow of traffic amid the numerous government infrastructure projects in Metro Manila and in preparation for the APEC Summit in November, which Manila will host.

Routes

According to the report, trucks coming from Pier in Manila can take R-10-Capulong-Tayuman-Gov. Forbes-Maria Clara-Dimasalang-Blumentritt-A. Bonifacio-North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) route.

They could also use the R-10-C-3-A. Bonfacio- NLEX route, the report added.

On the other hand, from NLEX going to Port Area, the trucks could use the Balintawak-A. Bonifacio-5th Avenue/C-3-5th Street-7th Street-Baltazar Street-5th Avenue toward R-10.

Trucks carrying perishable goods and agricultural cargo are not covered by the ban, the report said.

The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP), meanwhile, will adopt a wait-and-see attitude toward the truck ban, the report said, citing its spokesman, former Land Transportation Office chief Alberto Suansing. —KBK, GMA News