Truck ban, number coding scheme still lifted in Metro Manila — MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — The truck ban and number coding scheme will remain lifted in Metro Manila as the government extended the imposition of general community quarantine in the capital region, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Tuloy tuloy pa rin, lifted pa rin ang truck ban, pati ang ating coding kasi hindi pa ganun ka-normal ang ating public transportation,” MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo on Wednesday.

(The truck ban and number coding are still lifted because public transportation is still not completely normal.)

Garcia said the Department of Trade and Industry earlier appealed to the MMDA to lift the truck ban to ensure unhampered movement of essential goods as the coronavirus disease pandemic persists.

“‘Yung truck ban na oras, wala na po muna ‘yan. ‘Yung mga essentials lalo na ‘yung mga medisina, pagkain, ‘yung mga basura, hindi po sinisita ‘yan. Lahat po ng industriya na pinapayagan during ECQ pinapayagan na po ‘yan,” he said.

(Designated hours for the truck ban is temporarily not enforced. Trucks carrying essential goods, especially medicines, food, or garbage are not being flagged. All industries allowed during ECQ are permitted to use trucks in the streets.)

“Hindi na tayo nagkaroon ng exemptions. Basta sinabi namin na lifted ang truck ban, kasi ultimo construction materials allowed po ‘yan,” the MMDA official added.

(We did not make exemptions from the industries allowed to operate. We just said the truck ban is lifted. Even trucks carrying construction materials are allowed to ply the streets.)

However, Garcia reminded truck drivers to use designated lanes.

Meanwhile, he also noted that there are other local government units that impose modified number coding schemes for motorists.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced that Metro Manila will remain under the less restrictive GCQ from September 1 to 30.

EDV