Manila City Hall. INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO
MANILA, Philippines—After buses, the Manila city government is now eyeing limits to the entry of trucks in a bid to ease vehicular traffic.
The city council passed last Tuesday on first reading an ordinance amending the capital’s traffic management code to regulate truck routes.
Under the proposed measure, eight-wheeled trucks and haulers with gross weight above 4,500 kilograms would be allowed on certain routes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. only
“We want to decongest the traffic situation in Manila,” said Councilor Manuel “Letlet” Zarcal, one of the measure’s proponents.
Zarcal said the city government was regulating the use of roads by buses and trucks because these vehicles “occupy the biggest space on the streets.”
The difference, he added, is while fewer buses are now allowed entry to the city, trucks would be allowed on city streets between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. only.
The proposed new ordinance would exempt refrigerated haulers carrying perishable goods and trucks used for government projects.
Trucks that need to deliver construction materials outside of the restricted hours would have to seek permission from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau with recommendation from the Manila District Traffic and Enforcement Unit.
Additional truck routes are also specified:
For the southern route—from Port Area to Roxas Boulevard (two innermost lanes) to destination and vice versa (South Pier); and from Port Area to Road 10 to Roxas Boulevard (two innermost lanes) to destination (North Pier).
For the northern route—from Port Area to North Diversion Road; from Pier Zone along Road 10 to destination; from North Diversion to Port Area; and from A. Bonifacio Street right C-3 left Road 10 to Pier Zone.
Violators are to be penalized with fines of P5,000 or impoundment of their vehicles.
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