By: Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared the extension up to September the policy banning trucks with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kgs. and below along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue and Shaw Boulevard.
Crisanto Saruca, chief of the MMDA Council Secretariat, said the Metro Manila Council, the policy making body of the MMDA, approved the extension on June 15, the day the policy was supposed to expire.
Saruca said banning light trucks during rush hours have somehow alleviated traffic congestion experienced by motorists and commuters along Edsa –from Magallnes to North Avenue and Shaw Boulevard.
Under the policy, light trucks are prohibited from travelling along Shaw Boulevard and Edsa-southbound from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from Edsa-northbound from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., periods where traffic in the metropolis is heavy. It is enforced from Monday to Saturday except Sundays and holidays.
Prior to its implementation, around 3,000 light trucks are plying the two roads.
Light trucks carrying perishable goods are exempted from the ban but they still need to apply for exemption.
To be exempted from the rule, trucks carrying perishable goods need to secure certification from the Department of Agriculture and vehicles’ official receipt and certificate of registration.
Also exempted from the light trucks ban are government and emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances.
Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim will also ask for the extension of “no window hours” policy of the number coding scheme until viable traffic measures to address perennial traffic problems in the metropolis are in place.
The policy is set to expire next month. Vehicles banned for the day under the number coding scheme between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. are prohibited on 24 major roads, including Edsa and C5.