MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday hailed the indefinite lifting of the Manila truck ban, saying this would decongest the Port of Manila and ease pressure to increase consumer prices.
“The lifting is timely because the Christmas season is approaching. This will help in decongesting the Port of Manila,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told state-run radio dzRB. “We expect the easing of inflationary pressure on prices because the supply of our products will be continuous.”
Valte said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is ready to work with stakeholders to facilitate the traffic flow in Manila.
On Saturday, the City of Manila lifted the controversial truck ban to give the national government a free hand to decongest the ports of Manila.
The lifting of the truck ban was contained in Executive Order 67 signed by Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Various sectors have raised concerns about the possible impact of the truck ban on the prices of goods and the country’s economic growth.
Critics believe the ban will only cause traffic jams in other areas and delay the delivery of goods.
Estrada said the truck ban was lifted to prevent conflict between Manila traffic enforcers and the national government tasked to solve congestion in the port area.
“In fairness to the President, only the truckers are blaming us. That is why I’m giving them the chance to decongest the ports,” the mayor said.
Under the daytime truck ban, eight-wheeler trucks with a gross weight of more than 4,500 kilograms are not allowed in Manila’s streets from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The lifting of the ban means that Manila will once again implement the truck ban hours set by the MMDA.
Valte said she does not know whether Malacañang and Estrada had prior discussions about it.
She, however, maintained that the Cabinet is always ready to talk to Estrada to address port congestion.