Truckers group kick off new protest against Manila truck ban

An organization of truckers, importers, exporters and licensed brokers held a protest yesterday against the expanded truck ban being implemented by the Manila City government.

Aduana Business Club Inc. (ABCI) president Mary Zapata told the Inquirer that their move was aimed at calling the attention of the national government to the problems faced not only by truckers, but other port workers as well.

“Some trucks were lined up near the gates of the [Manila South Harbor] around 8 a.m. while our members were distributing fliers discussing the negative effects of the ban on the economy,” Zapata said.

“Our members and the economy have been badly [affected] since the implementation of this ban,” she added.

Samson Gabisan, ABCI secretary, said that they had been repeatedly asking for a dialogue with city officials to no avail.

“We have been operating 24 hours every day since the start of the modified ban and our workers and members are already very tired,” Zapata claimed.

The daytime truck bans eight-wheel trucks and vehicles with a gross weight of over 4,500 kilograms from plying Manila’s roads from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

But Mayor Joseph Estrada, after meeting with stakeholders and other concerned government agencies, granted a window period between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The ABCI, however, maintained that the truck ban continued to be a burden on their daily operations.

Asked if another truck holiday was forthcoming, Zapata said that some truckers have yet to resume operations after the Holy Week break.

“We will continue to find ways and solutions to our predicament with regard to the truck ban and we will not stop until we find one,” she added.

Estrada, on the other hand, said that he would not lift the truck ban despite the threat of another truck holiday. “They have no other choice but to follow the law,” he told the Inquirer.