While we’ve previously said that trucks function as the lifeblood of any country’s economy, they've also contributed much to the congestion of Metro Manila’s roads.
To regulate their presence and help ease traffic, the Philippine Truck Ban Ordinance was implemented back in the 70s. Since then, the regulation has undergone changes, especially following a study conducted by the University of Asia and the Pacific warning of economic losses if trucks continued to be stranded outside Manila for the entire day. Amendments allowed trucks to use specific roads, helping free up space in the ports, where tons and tons of cargo were piling up and perishable items were in danger of spoiling.
Imagine adding cargo trucks in the mix during rush hour on EDSA.
As theTruck Ban Ordinance is still in effect to this day, this article from Philkotse.com will help you learn more about the prevailing Truck ban in Manila.
1. The Uniform Light Truck Ban in Manila
First, let's get to know the MMDA's Uniform Light Truck Ban, or ULTB.
Types of vehicles covered by the ULTB
The Philippine truck ban weight limit is set for motor vehicles that have a gross capacity of 4500 kilograms or below, and/or those with six or more tires. This is regardless of whether the vehicle has an open or enclosed payload area.
Here's a textbook example of a light truck
Coverage and duration of the ULTB
All light trucks, regardless of use as commercial vehicles or not, are:
- Not allowed to pass along EDSA, from North Avenue in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City, between 5 AM and 9 PM, Mondays to Saturdays. This is in effect for both northbound and southbound routes. No prohibition is enforced on Sundays and holidays.
- Not allowed along Shaw Boulevard between Mandaluyong City and Pasig City, between 6 AM and 10 AM and between 5 PM and 10 PM, Monday to Saturdays. No prohibition is enforced on Sundays and holidays.
- Not allowed in Parañaque between 6 AM and 9 AM, and between 4 PM and 8 PM.
Window hours during the ban
Light trucks can use Shaw Boulevard and EDSA during the hours not covered by the ban.
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The impact of the truck ban
Are light trucks still covered by the UVVRP a.k.a. coding?
Yes, the provisions of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program under MMDA Regulation No. 96-005, Series of 1996 and its amendments will still apply to all light trucks.
Philippine truck ban law: Penalties for the ULTB violation
Drivers who have violated the ULTB will be fined PhP 2,000, on top of other violations that they may have committed. The license of any driver who has been apprehended a total of three (3) times shall be recommended for suspension by the MMDA, for a period of one (1) year.
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Exempted vehicles from the ULTB
Not all light trucks, however, are covered by the ban. Notable exceptions are:
- Any light truck registered under the name of any government agency, government office, or unit, including those from the Philippine National Police, and any branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
- Emergency vehicles such as, but not limited to, ambulances and firetrucks.
- Vehicles granted by an exemption by the MMDA. (in certain reasonable situations)
- Light trucks carrying perishable goods, only if they apply for, and manage to secure, an exemption from the MMDA.
2. Cargo Truck Ban Ordinance
Cargo trucks are defined as vehicles intended for carrying cargo. The license plates they use fall under the following classifications: S, T, TC, TH, TRLB, HHB, and TRJ. Vans, tankers, and other delivery vehicles with a gross capacity of more than 4500 kilograms, regardless of being empty or loaded.
Or trucks like this big boy here
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Philippine Truck ban Schedule 2019
The truck ban hours are implemented in these areas:
- Ortigas Business District, Pasig City
- Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
- Makati District Business
- España Street through Quezon Ave., from Echague St. to the intersection of West and South Ave.
Truck ban hours are enforced between 6 AM and 10 AM, and between 5 PM and 10 PM, Mondays to Saturdays, except on Sundays and holidays.
- Claro M. Recto Ave., from Legarda St. to Del Pan St.
- President Quirino Ave., from South Superhighway to Roxas Blvd.
- P. Burgos St. through Ayala Blvd., Legarda St., Magsayasay Blvd. and Aurora Blvd., from Roxas Blvd. to Boston St.
- E. Rodriguez Ave., through Bonifacio Ave. from Welcome Rotonda to Shoe Ave.
- South Superhighway through Nagtahan Bridge and Alfonso Mendoza St. from EDSA to Dimasalang St.
- Taft Ave. through Quirino Ave. from Redemptorist St. to Plaza Lawton, to include McArthur, Quezon and Jones Bridges
- Bonifacio Drive through Roxas Blvd. and NAIA Road to Aduana St. to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
- Rizal Avenue through Rizal Avenue Extension from Carriedo St. to the Bonifacio Monument
- Reina Regente St. through Abad Santos St. from Regina Regente Bridge to Rizal Avenue Extension
Truck ban on EDSA
Trucks are completely prohibited from passing along EDSA, from Magallanes to North Avenue in Quezon City, from Monday to Saturday. The ban is not in effect on Sundays and holidays.
3. Alternate routes for cargo trucks headed for the Port Area
The ever-congested and busy Port Area in Manila
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Eastern Truck Route
- From Port Area to Marcos Highway
Pier Zone travelling northward along R-10, right at Capulong towards Tayuman, straight ahead towards Gov. Forbes, left at Maria Clara, cross Dimasalang, straight ahead towards Constancia, right at Constancia, left at Laonglaan, straight towards D. Tuazon Avenue, left at Quezon Boulevard Extension, straight towards Elliptical Road, take Don Mariano Marcos Avenue, left at Aurora Boulevard, straight towards Marcos Highway. - From Marcos Highway to Port Area
Marcos Highway straight towards Aurora Boulevard, right at Katipunan, straight towards Tandang Sora, left at Don Mariano Marcos Avenue, straight towards Elliptical Road, take Quezon Boulevard Extension, straight towards West Avenue, right at West Avenue, left at Del Monte Avenue, straight towards A. Bonifacio, left A. Bonifacio Drive, right at Blumentritt, left at Aurora Boulevard, right at Dimasalang, right at Aragon Street, right at Gov. Forbes towards Tayuman and Capulong, left at R-10 heading towards the Pier Zone.
Northern Truck Route
- From Port Area to North Diversion Road
From Pier Zone traveling northward along R-10, right at Capulong towards Tayuman, straight ahead towards Gov. Forbes, left at Maria Clara, left at Dimasalang, right at Blumentritt, left at A. Bonifacio then make your way to the diversion road. - From North Diversion Road to Port Area
From the north and traveling southward along A. Bonifacio Avenue, right at Blumentritt, left at Aurora Boulevard, right at Dimasalang, right at Aragon Street, right at Gov. Forbes towards Tayuman and Capulong, then left R-10 towards the Pier Zone.
Southern Truck Route
- From Port Area to South Superhighway
Bonifacio Drive, left P. Burgos, Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard, right San Marcelino, left President Quirino, right South Superhighway - From South Superhighway to Port Area
South Superhighway, right at President Quirino, left at United Nations Avenue, right at Romualdez Street, left at Ayala P. Burgos, right at Bonifacio Drive towards Port Area.
Drivers apprehended for not being mindful of the Philippine truck ban adversely impact business' profits
For more updates from the MMDA, visit their Twitter page that has the most recent information about their ordinances, as well as up-to-date status reports on all major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
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