MMDA proposes 'truck' lanes in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now thinking of allowing trucks to use dedicated lanes or roads in Metro Manila.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, head of the MMDA's Special Traffic Committee (STC), told reporters on Wednesday that the proposal aims to further decongest traffic flow in Metro Manila by moving trucks off roads that are also being used by private and public utility vehicles.

"Pinag-aaralan din with the help of the other cities, yung magkaroon ng dedicated truck lane. Walang pwedeng dumaan dun kundi trucks lang," Bautista told reporters after stepping out of the 11th Asian Crisis Management Conference (ACMC), a two-day event hosted by the MMDA at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Otigas, Quezon City.

Bautista said the MMDA will reopen these exclusive truck lanes in Metro Manila which includes the R-10 Road that connects the cities of Calooan and Malabon with Manila's Port Area, and the Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

"Yun naman talaga ang purpose nung napakaraming kalye noong araw. tulad ng Araneta Avenue, talagang pang truck lang. Ang unang proposal pa nga noon ay railway para pan deliver ng kung anu-anong gamit, pero nagbago na ang use," he said.

Bautista admits that the proposal is being oppossed by trucker groups. However, he is confident that it would be later accepted after a dialog, just what happened with the expansion of the truck ban's coverage.

Bautista said the MMDA is tapping the expertise of traffic engineering experts from the University of the Philippines on the proposal to have trucks run on dedicated roads.

Earlier, the MMDA extended the implementation of the modified uniform truck ban regulation in Metro Manila from July 6 to January 5, 2014.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the STC of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) headed Bautista issued Resolution Number 03 Series of 2013 approving the extension of the modified uniform truck ban for a period of another six months unless earlier revoked.

Tolentino said the extension would give the STC an adequate time to address all issues concerning the proposed implementation of a total daytime truck ban in Metro Manila to alleviate traffic congestion.

Under the modified regulation, trucks and heavy vehicles with a gross capacity weight of more than 4,500 kilograms are not allowed on major thoroughfares from 6 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 10 pm everyday except Sundays and holidays.

Trucks with perishable and agricultural cargo shall be exempted from the truck ban.

The total truck ban in EDSA from Magallanes, Makati City to North Avenue in Quezon City shall remain in effect the whole day from Monday to Sunday, the MMDA said.

The MMC last January through the STC, passed Resolution Number 01 Series of 2013 which approved the extension of the modified truck ban in Metro Manila from January 7 to July 6.