MMDA to implement truck ban for APEC meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the mayors of Metro Manila comprising the Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday agreed to impose a temporary modified truck ban to and from the Port Area in Manila to South Luzon Expressway during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be hosted by the Philippines from November 17 to 20.

MMDA officer-in-charge Emerson Carlos said the four-day modified truck ban hour would be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carlos said trucks would not be allowed on the metro roads during the truck ban hours.

Carlos said both lanes of Roxas Boulevard from the Manila Hotel to the airport road will also be closed to general traffic and will only be for use by vehicles of APEC delegates. Carlos said motorists would be allowed to use the service roads of Roxas Boulevard during the four-day APEC meet.

According to Carlos, the regular truck ban hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. will be reinstated immediately after the APEC summit.

“This will assure the efficient mobility of the APEC delegates in our major thoroughfares, especially in Manila, Pasay and Makati areas where the summit’s major events will take place,” Carlos said.

The MMDA said trucks affected by the modified truck ban can make use of the following alternate routes:

From South Luzon Expressway/Cavite Area to Port Area (and vice versa).

From Port of Manila straight to R10, right at C3, left at A. Bonifacio Avenue take right turning flyover toward Quirino Highway, right at Mindanao Avenue, left at Congressional Avenue, right at Luzon Avenue straight to Katipunan/C5 to SLEX and vice versa.

According to the MMDA, the APEC summit, to be attended by world leaders, is an important platform to showcase Metropolitan Manila and the Philippines as a viable economic, financial, and investment hub for foreign visitors.