Transport body twits MMDA on Katipunan traffic jam

MANILA, Philippines–The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Thursday denied that heavy traffic in Quezon City was being caused by a one-month “no apprehension policy” for trucks for hire from July 29 to Aug. 29.

LTFRB chair Winston Ginez also defended the decision, saying this was to give operators more time given the crucial services they give transporting goods from the port area.

“This was only issued on July 29 so to blame the LTRB memo on the sudden increase we think this is stretching things too much. These trucks have already been on the road before the LTFRB had issued the memo,” Ginez said.

The Metro Manila Development Authority earlier pointed to LTFRB’s ‘no apprehension policy’ as the cause of the traffic gridlock on Katipunan Avenue.

Many motorists have been complaining about the bottleneck especially along the stretch fronting Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam college.

Ginez noted that the policy covered trucks with so-called green plates. The extension was to give them time to comply with the Board’s franchising regulations before they can again operate on national roads.

The policy was issued in connection with the Board’s Memorandum Circular 2014-008 re ‘Clarification in so far as TH Freight Truck Services in the Implementation of Joint Administration Order 2014-00.’

With a substantial number of applicants still yet to complete their application for PA, the business sectors and freight owners requested the Board to extend the ‘No Apprehension Policy’ for another month.

The month-long moratorium ended on July 28.

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