MMDA defers implementation of modified truck ban

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deferred the implementation of its modified truck ban scheme that is supposed to be made effective on December 3.

The MMDA said that the plan needs to be discussed further in a meeting of the Metro Manila Council’s Special Traffic Committee on Monday next week after trucking groups rejected the plan in a consultation meeting on the issue held last Wednesday in Mandaluyong City.

The Metro Manila Council is the policy-making arm of the MMDA and is composed of all the mayors of Metro Manila.

Scheduled for enforcement between December 3 and 26, the MMDA’s proposed modified truck ban was thumbed down in the initial consultation by the Integrated North Harbor Truckers’ Association (INHTA) and Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CTAP).

Under the MMDA’s proposed modified truck ban, a uniform truck ban shall be imposed in Metro Manila from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday except on Sundays and holidays. As such, it would temporarily modify MMDA Resolution no. 07-05 Series of 2007 (Truck Ban Ordinance).

With the present truck ban, trucks with a gross capacity of more than 4,000 kilos, are not allowed on the roads from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., except on Saturdays and Sundays.

Meanwhile, MMC Special Traffic Committee chair and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista expressed belief that an agreeable scheme could still be hammered with the trucking groups.

“We will have a final meeting. MMDA Chairman Tolentino gave a deadline until next week,” he said.

Bautista, meanwhile, warned trucking groups not to stall the discussions and force the MMDA and the local government units to implement the current truck ban scheme over the holidays.

“The proposals will come from them. What I don’t want is them telling us to maintain status quo. It means nothing. I would rather that they give us alternatives. We gave them six options already, and we want the seventh option to come from them. But we don’t want status quo as an option,” he said.

“We anticipate heavier traffic in the metropolis that’s why we’re asking the truckers organizations to cooperate with us,” he added.

For his part, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said it would be up to Bautista to make the final decision even as he noted the urgency of the matter.

“I would reiterate that we empower the STC headed by Mayor Bautista to resolve this issue early next week,” said Tolentino.

“We can assure you that Mayor Bautista will be objective and fair in coming up with a win-win solution for everybody,” he added.

The MMDA said the “final meeting” on the issue will take place on Monday at the Quezon City Hall. Mike Frialde