Truckers block NLEX exits in Pampanga in protest against not being allowed on expressway

A number of trucks blocked some entry and exit points of the North Luzon Expressway in Pampanga on Saturday morning in protest against the policy not allowing 12-wheeler trucks to use NLEX.

The protest action started at 6 a.m. and caused heavy traffic, according to a report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV.

Lennard Lansang, president of Pampanga Truckers Association, said their trucks blocked northbound and southbound entry and exit points in San Simon, San Fernando, Mexico, Angeles, Dau and Mabiga, according to Gatus' report.

Traffic was thus at a standstill in many areas as motorists could not get past the trucks to enter or exit NLEX. 

The truckers were protesting NLEX management's decision not to allow 12-wheeler trucks on the expressway due to overloading.

The Pampanga Truckers Association said they have been negotiating with NLEX since August.

Even Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda had reportedly asked NLEX to allow the trucks to use NLEX but no action was made.

On Friday, the truck group was supposed to have a meeting with NLEX management, but the latter did not show up, the truckers said.

The group then said they had no other recourse but to hold the protest action.

"Naghihintay pa rin kami sa isasagot ng NLEX. Ito lang ang paraan namin para ipaalam ang aming problema," Lansang said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Humihingi kami ng malaking paumanhin sa mga biyahero. Ito lang paraan namin para maiparating ang maling pamamaraan ng NLEX sa mga biyahero," he added.

"Humihingi kami ng specific data kung bakit hindi nila pinadadaan ang mga 12 wheeler truck," Lansang said.

"Napakalayo ng iniikutan ng aming mga truck dahil ayaw kami padaanin sa NLEX," he said.

Robin Ignacio, senior traffic manager of NLEX, confirmed to Dobol B sa News TV that trucks blocked some entry and exit points of the expressway in Pampanga on Saturday morning.

"Ang apektado sa labas ng expressway kung saan mayroong mga nakapilang sasakyan papasok ng NLEX... NLEX-Pampanga exit points, may mga truck na nakaharang," he said.

"As much as more than 10 trucks ang nakaharang sa ilang entry points," he added.

Ignacio said they were already coordinating with the Philippine National Police regarding the matter.

He added that 12-wheeler trucks were not allowed on NLEX for safety.

"For safety reason kaya hindi pinapayagan ang mga truck na sa tingin namin ay overloaded," he said.

At past 7 a.m., Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda went to NLEX to talk to the truckers and appeal to them to pull out.

"Pumayag na po ang mga truckers na mag-pull out," he told Dobol B sa News TV.

"Kaya nakagawa ng ganitong hakbang ang Pampanga Truckers dahil sa mabagal na proseso ng NLEX," he said. —KG, GMA News