Metro Manila mayors OK higher fine vs truck ban violators

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of all the mayors of Metro Manila and serves as the policy-making arm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has approved on Tuesday the proposal to increase from P500 to P2,000 the fine for trucks caught violating the truck ban.

The MMC approved the MMDA’s proposal  during the regular MMC meeting in Makati City. The hike in the penalty takes effect 15 days after publication in a major newspaper, the MMDA said.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said since 1995, there was no increase in the amount of the fine to be paid for violating the metro-wide truck ban.

“Buong Metro Manila ito. Yung walang truck ban hours like Katipunan effective itong bagong fine 15 days after the publication,” said Tolentino.

The MMDA is enforcing a truck ban from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. everyday except Sundays and holidays.

Under the truck ban, no cargo truck shall be allowed to travel or pass along the following:

• España Street through Quezon Avenue from Echague Street to the intersection of West and South Avenue
• Claro M. Recto Avenue from Legarda St. to del Pan Street
• President Quirino Avenue from South Superhighway to Roxas Boulevard
• P. Burgos St. through Ayala Boulevard, Legarda St., 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 the Bonifacio Monument
• Reina Regente Street through Abad Santos Street from Regina Regente Bridge to Rizal Avenue Extension

A “total truck ban,” meanwhile, is being enforced along EDSA between Pasong Tamo in Makati City and Balintawak in Quezon City everyday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. except Sundays, and holidays.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is also proposing to the Land Transportation Office that the license of the truck driver who would be 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 job and source of livelihood. This is in addition to the truck he is driving being impounded each time he is apprehended,” said MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos.