50 trucks protest load rules by honking at DPWH office; traffic jam ensues

Truckers protest along Bonifacio Drive at Port Area, Manila on Thursday, Metro Manila truck drivers and operators are protesting the MMDA’s modified truck ban on major thoroughfares from 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays. The ban is in effect until January 2014.NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—Around 50 container trucks formed a caravan on Roxas Boulevard on Thursday, resulting in traffic congestion, and honked at the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways to protest and seek suspension of the implementation of the anti-overloading law.

“We are asking the DPWH to reconsider because the implementation is not credible. They are using a portable weighing scale. Or why not honor the weight according to the ports,” said Mary Zapata, president of the truckers’ group, Aduana Business Club Inc.

In a statement, the group described the implementing rules as “inconsistent, confusing and out of sync with international economic realities” and the “increasing apprehensions for overloading trucks have become another source of graft and extortion in our highways.”

Due to the traffic congestion on both lanes of Roxas Boulevard, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada stepped in and invited the truckers to a dialogue.

“Their concerns involve national agencies. I promised that I will go out of my way to invite the national officials so they could discuss the problem,” Estrada said.

“But I gave them a warning. If they have complaints, don’t disturb the traffic flow. They will have to follow the local traffic laws. If this happens again, I will have them arrested,” he said.

The proposed meeting on the truck loading issue will also involve the Departments of Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Governments, and Transportation and Communications; the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; the Bureau of Customs; and the Land Transportation Authority.

The anti-overloading law, Republic Act No. 8794, was implemented to protect road pavements from being damaged by overloaded trucks.

Aduana, however, complains that there is no clear basis for a standard tolerable weight to avoid damaging the roads.

The group said that because the load limits have been “unclear, inconsistent and unrealistic vis a vis international standards and requirements” the administrations of former President Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have imposed a moratorium on its enforcement.

“But until now, no such rationalization or action had been taken. What happened instead, is that the DPWH, ostensibly concerned about the fast deterioration of substandard roads called for the immediate enforcement of the load limits,” Aduana said.

MANILA, Philippines—Around 50 container trucks formed a caravan on Roxas Boulevard on Thursday, resulting in traffic congestion, and honked at the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways to protest and seek suspension of the implementation of the anti-overloading law.

“We are asking the DPWH to reconsider because the implementation is not credible. They are using a portable weighing scale. Or why not honor the weight according to the ports,” said Mary Zapata, president of the truckers’ group, Aduana Business Club Inc.

In a statement, the group described the implementing rules as “inconsistent, confusing and out of sync with international economic realities” and the “increasing apprehensions for overloading trucks have become another source of graft and extortion in our highways.”

Due to the traffic congestion on both lanes of Roxas Boulevard, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada stepped in and invited the truckers to a dialogue.

“Their concerns involve national agencies. I promised that I will go out of my way to invite the national officials so they could discuss the problem,” Estrada said.

“But I gave them a warning. If they have complaints, don’t disturb the traffic flow. They will have to follow the local traffic laws. If this happens again, I will have them arrested,” he said.

The proposed meeting on the truck loading issue will also involve the Departments of Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Governments, and Transportation and Communications; the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; the Bureau of Customs; and the Land Transportation Authority.

The anti-overloading law, Republic Act No. 8794, was implemented to protect road pavements from being damaged by overloaded trucks.

Aduana, however, complains that there is no clear basis for a standard tolerable weight to avoid damaging the roads.

The group said that because the load limits have been “unclear, inconsistent and unrealistic vis a vis international standards and requirements” the administrations of former President Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have imposed a moratorium on its enforcement.

“But until now, no such rationalization or action had been taken. What happened instead, is that the DPWH, ostensibly concerned about the fast deterioration of substandard roads called for the immediate enforcement of the load limits,” Aduana said.