MMDA imposes total truck ban on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said there would be no “window hours” for trucks along EDSA as part of the implementation of the modified truck ban hours for the Christmas season.

The modified truck ban – which started yesterday and will end on Jan. 6, 2013 – does not include trucks carrying perishable goods such as agricultural products.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the truck ban on EDSA (from the Magallanes Interchange in Makati to the Trinoma mall in Quezon City) would be enforced round the clock from Monday to Sunday.

Tolentino said the EDSA total truck ban is part of the modified truck ban scheme that has been approved for implementation by the Special Traffic Committee (STC) of the Metro Manila Council last Dec. 3.

“We no longer have window hours for trucks passing through EDSA. Trucks with a gross weight of 4,500 kilograms and above are not allowed in any portion of EDSA 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

Under the usual truck ban policy of the MMDA, trucks are allowed to pass through EDSA from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

But last Dec. 3, the STC, chaired by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, approved the implementation of the modified truck ban in Metro Manila.

Bautista said the new policy would add two more hours to the existing truck ban in Metro Manila.  

According to Bautista, the modified truck ban hours will be from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m, every day except Sundays and holidays.