Light truck ban begins tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will apprehend erring drivers of light trucks who will pass through EDSA at certain times of the day.

MMDA officer-in-charge Tim Orbos said the ban for light trucks will be in effect until June 15. Those who will violate the truck ban will be fined P2,000.

Based on the MMDA’s data, 460 truck drivers were reminded of the truck ban during the agency’s dry run of the project last Wednesday morning on EDSA.

Orbos said the 460 drivers were not apprehended.

Under the truck ban, light trucks with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilos are not allowed to enter along the entire stretch of Shaw Boulevard, which traverses the cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig.

Light trucks going south are not allowed on EDSA from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. while northbound trucks are banned from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The MMDA has also prohibited trucks coming from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong going to Pasig City and vice versa from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC), the MMDA’s policy-making body, approved the truck ban during a recent meeting to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila.

Orbos clarified that owners of light trucks can seek an exemption from the truck ban especially those that are carrying perishable goods.

He said that the MMDA will set the schedule if when the agency will accept applications for exemptions.

Interested applicants may submit their official receipt or certificate of registration and certification from the Department of Agriculture.