MM mayors OK higher fine for truck ban violators

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila mayors have approved a proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to increase the penalty for trucks caught violating the truck ban, from P500 to P2,000.

The Metro Manila Council, which is the policy-making arm of the MMDA, approved the agency’s recommendation after the MMC regular meeting in Makati City Tuesday.

The higher fine will take effect 15 days after publication in a major newspaper, the MMDA said.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said there had been no increase in the penalty against violators of the truck ban since 1995.

“This will be implemented Metro-wide,” Tolentino said.

The MMDA is enforcing a truck ban from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Sundays and holidays.

Under the truck ban, no cargo truck are allowed to pass these routes: España street through Quezon Avenue from Echague street to the intersection of West and South Avenue; Claro M. Recto Avenue from Legarda street to Del Pan street; President Quirino Avenue from South Superhighway to Roxas Boulevard; P. Burgos street through Ayala Boulevard, Legarda street, Magsayasay Boulevard and Aurora Boulevard, from Roxas Boulevard to Boston street; E. Rodriguez Avenue through Bonifacio Avenue from Welcome Rotonda to Shoe Avenue; South Superhighway through Nagtahan Bridge and Alfonso Mendoza street from EDSA to Dimasalang street.

Taft Avenue through Quirino Avenue from Redemptorist street to Plaza Lawton, to include McArthur, Quezon and Jones Bridges; Bonifacio Drive through Roxas Boulevard and NAIA Road to Aduana street to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; Rizal Avenue through Rizal Avenue Extension from Carriedo street to Bonifacio Monument; and Reina Regente street through Abad Santos street from Regina Regente Bridge to Rizal Avenue Extension.

A total truck ban is enforced along EDSA in Pasong Tamo, Makati and Balintawak in Quezon City everyday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Sundays and holidays.

The MMDA proposed to the Land Transportation Office that the license of a truck driver caught violating the truck ban for three consecutive times be suspended for one year.

“This will hopefully deter the driver from breaking the rule. Without his license, he would lose his source of livelihood. This is in addition to the truck he is driving being impounded each time he is apprehended,” Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said.