MMDA, mayors OK APEC truck ban

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the mayors in the metropolis yesterday agreed to impose a temporary modified truck ban to and from Port Area in Manila and the South Luzon Expressway during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit from Nov. 17 to 20.

MMDA officer-in-charge Emerson Carlos said the Metro Manila Council, composed of all the mayors, approved the four-day modified truck ban hours that would be enforced from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Carlos said trucks would not be allowed on affected roads during the truck ban hours during the four-day APEC meet.

He said both lanes of Roxas Boulevard from the Manila Hotel to Airport Road will be closed to motorists and will only be used by vehicles of APEC delegates.

Carlos said motorists would be allowed to use the service roads of Roxas Boulevard.

According to Carlos, the regular truck ban hours (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) would be reinstated immediately after the APEC summit.

“This will assure the efficient mobility of the APEC delegates in our major thoroughfares, especially in Manila, Pasay and Makati areas where the summit’s major events will take place,” Carlos said.

The MMDA said trucks affected by the modified truck ban could use the following alternate routes from South Luzon Expressway/Cavite Area to Port Area and vice versa.

From Port of Manila straight to R10, right at C3 Road, left at A. Bonifacio Ave., take right turning flyover toward Quirino Highway, right at Mindanao Ave., left at Congressional Ave., right at Luzon Ave. straight to Katipunan/C5 to SLEX and vice versa.

According to the MMDA, the APEC summit, to be attended by world leaders, is an important platform to showcase Metro Manila and the Philippines as a viable economic, financial and investment hub.