MMDA expands truck ban coverage from Dec. 13-20

In anticipation of the traffic buildup that comes with the holiday season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has removed the window hours for trucks for the next eight days, starting Friday.

From Dec. 13 to 20—including weekends—all trucks will be banned from minor and major thoroughfares in Metro Manila between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m, according to the agency’s Memorandum Circular No. 16.

“Heavy volume of vehicles is expected in all streets of Metro Manila during the Christmas season. In order to manage the expected heavy traffic, it is necessary to temporarily modify the Uniform Truck Ban coverage…,” it said.

Under the previous system, trucks were banned in major thoroughfares in the metropolis between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

But with the release of the new memorandum circular,  trucks would not be able to ply their routes in Metro Manila from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Dec. 13 to 20.

The MMDA, however, announced that the expanded truck ban would not cover heavy vehicles passing through South Superhighway on their way to the Port of Manila from the South Luzon Expressway and vice versa. Also exempted are those plying A. Bonifacio Avenue on their way from North Luzon Expressway to the Port of Manila and vice versa.

“But they must observe the uniform truck ban hours in Metro Manila from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.,” it said.

All cargo trucks and other similar vehicles loaded with agricultural food are likewise exempted from the truck ban along with those carrying petroleum products. Also exempted are trucks involved in relief opeations in “Yolanda”-stricken areas or in the rehabilitation efforts of the energy department in Samar and Leyte provinces.