Trucks, trailers given until July 31, 2016, to comply with cargo weight limits

Trailer trucks along Roxas Boulevard. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Trucks and trailers not just in Metro Manila but in the entire country have until July 31, 2016, to comply with cargo weight limits appropriate to the sizes of their vehicles in conformity with the prescribed maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW), according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

In a joint advisory, the two agencies said this has been required by Republic Act No. 8794, the law imposing a user’s charge on all types of motor vehicles.

In light of this, the DPWH has once more suspended the apprehension of overloaded trucks and trailers nationwide.

Since 2013, the department had moved the implementation of the maximum GVW for trucks and trailers several times.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said they had granted the request of stakeholders to defer the implementation of the maximum GVW falling under Codes 12-2 and 12.3.

The extended suspension until July 31 next year aims to “give them more time to acquire additional transport equipment to conform with the latest GVW,” they noted.

The DPWH and DOTC earlier modified the implementing rules and regulations of RA 8794 after consultations with groups of truckers and haulers.

Under RA 8794, trucks and trailers under Code 12-2 and Code 12-3 with loads exceeding GVWs of 41,500 kilograms and 42,000 kilograms, respectively, and load per axle of more than 13,500 kilograms are prohibited to travel as they are considered overloaded.

According to the DPWH, “an amount equivalent to 25 percent of the motor vehicle user’s charge (or registration fee) is imposed by the Land Transportation Office on overloaded trucks and trailers.”

Singson earlier warned that national roads were being damaged severely by the overloading of trucks and trailers.

He appealed to businesses to observe weight limits for overland cargo.

The DPWH head said the government would not be after the collection of fines as the amount equivalent to 25 percent of registration fees for loading beyond the prescribed GVW would “not be enough to repair damage on highways and bridges, and the high risk of death and serious injuries for road users and the general public due to overloading.”

He also called on businesses to avoid truck operators refusing to correct their vehicle configurations in transporting goods.  SFM