Roxas Boulevard closed to trucks for six months

MANILA, Philippines–In preparation for the Papal Visit in January and other events, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recommended that cargo trucks and other heavy vehicles with a gross weight of 4,500 kilograms be banned from using Roxas Boulevard for six months starting on Dec. 3.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said on Sunday that he had come out with a resolution on the matter although it has yet to be approved by the Metro Manila Council’s Special Traffic Committee.

“During this period, cargo trucks will not be able to use Roxas Boulevard even though there is an existing 24/7 [express] lane for them [on the] said road,” he added.

Tolentino, however, said that heavy vehicles would be allowed to ply their old routes (South Superhighway-Port Area and vice versa, North Diversion Road-Port Area and vice versa, Marcos Highway-Port Area) to and from Manila ports 24/7 except on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1.

Should the truckers take other routes like Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Shaw Boulevard, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Gregorio Araneta Avenue, Congressional Avenue and Mindanao Avenue, they will be covered by the MMDA truck ban which takes effect from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily except on Sundays and holidays.

According to Tolentino, upcoming events like Pope Francis’ visit, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on top of ongoing road projects like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Elevated Expressway “will result in the dramatic increase of vehicles that will further congest the streets of Metro Manila, particularly Roxas Boulevard.”

The MMDA warned that violators of the new traffic policy face a fine of P2,000. For those caught thrice, their driver’s license may be suspended for one year upon the recommendation of the agency, it added.