MMDA orders cement trucks to put warning signs starting July 1

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday ordered all cement trucks to display warning signs while on the road, starting next month.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the warning signs would alert motorists to keep or maintain a safe distance from the cement mixer trucks to avoid accidents.

“All owners, operators and drivers of cement mixer trucks or cement mixers are required to put and install a permanent visible sign indicating “Loaded With Concrete—Keep Distance” the letters of which should not be less than 15 centimeters in height at the back and both sides of the truck, in addition to other vehicle markings required under applicable laws and regulations,” Tolentino’s Memorandum Order No. 01 Series of 2013 said.

The order takes effect on July 1, 2013.

The warning sign should have a yellow background and black letters to achieve its purpose, the order read.

Tolentino said violators will be made to pay a P500 fine “without prejudice to the imposition of other penalties for other violation of traffic laws, rules and regulations.”

The memorandum came after the MMDA chief met with various stakeholders, cement manufacturers and cement mixer operators to thresh out the issue.

Tolentino said the groups supported the agency’s move but asked that the earlier “Loaded with Cement” sign be changed to “Loaded with Concrete” as well as the size of the warning signs from 30 centimeters to 15 centimeters which the official granted.

The MMDA had earlier proposed to the Land Transportation Office the re-classification of cement mixers from ordinary trucks to dangerous vehicles following the death last April of college student Cherrie Inzon who was pinned to death by a cement mixer at the corner of Araneta and Del Monte Avenues in Quezon City.