Compromise eyed on Manila truck ban

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is eyeing a compromise between Manila and the truckers and business groups that continue to be at loggerheads over the daytime truck ban imposed by the city government.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras had met with concerned agencies to come up with a proposed compromise.

The Palace needs to step in as the city government and the truckers refused to budge from their respective positions.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said the Metro Manila mayors have agreed to ask Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada not to apprehend trucks from 3 p.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. for the next two weeks, or a window of two more hours in addition to the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. lifting of the truck ban.

However, major trucker associations objected to the proposal and insisted on the removal of the truck ban. They said Manila should assign a dedicated truck lane inside the city.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said concerned officials would serve as “bridge” between the opposing camps.

She said Tolentino was assigned to coordinate with Estrada while Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Juan Sta. Ana would talk to the truckers.

“We must remember it was a total ban in the beginning. Now there are window hours. So we will push as to how we can find a solution. Our task is to help them come up with a compromise that is acceptable to both,” Valte said.

She said the office of Almendras called the concerned national government agencies to explore ways to move forward on the issue.

Represented at the meeting were the MMDA, the Departments of Public Works and Highways and of Transportation and Communications, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office and the PCOO.

Valte said it would be up to the PPA to determine how ports outside of Metro Manila could be used to decongest traffic and that any lawmaker is free to investigate the matter in aid of legislation.

Estrada said the PPA should also allow truckers to park within its facility in Port Area instead of along Manila roads so they would not obstruct traffic.

Manila cautioned on truck ban

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has cautioned the local government of Manila on the possible displacement of truck drivers and helpers due to the daytime truck ban in the city.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the city government should also look into the negative implications of the truck ban on employment as well as on the income of truck drivers and helpers.

“I don’t know how the city government will implement the new ordinance, but I hope they will also consider the losses on the part of the truck drivers and helpers,” Baldoz said.

She said she ordered DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) to convene the bus transport industry tripartite council (ITC) and look into the impact of the truck ban in Manila.

“This is to ensure that truck drivers and helpers have a voice in all the meetings and deliberations of the ITC on matters related to transport,” she said.

Jubilation over daytime truck ban

Students, teachers and workers in Manila are rejoicing over the implementation of the daytime truck ban in the city, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said yesterday.

Moreno said Manileños are no longer arriving late in schools or offices since the daytime truck ban was implemented Monday.

He said the city council could make a study whether there is a need to modify the ban, but in the meantime, everyone has to abide by it.

But not all are happy. Mario Perez, an official of a towing firm, complained of increasing harassment from alleged drivers and operators of trucking firms opposing the daytime truck ban.

“They are blocking our towing vehicles,” Perez said.

Truck drivers and operators stop delivery of goods in North Harbor to show their opposition to the ban.

Ricky Papa, president of the Confederation of Truck Operators, called on Estrada to suspend the daytime truck ban and reopen negotiations.

Estrada said the truckers should follow the law first, noting that the city government would not bow to pressure exerted by the truckers.

“Nobody is above the law. The daytime truck ban is a bitter pill that they have to swallow,” Estrada said.

           Caloocan to amend own truck ban

The Caloocan City council is calling for a public hearing on the proposed amendment of its own truck ban to expedite passage of the law.

Councilor Aurora Henson, author of the city ordinance, said they are in the process of amending the existing truck ban that passed first reading yesterday.

Henson said stakeholders were invited to a public hearing today.

“There is already an existing truck ban in the city and we are just amending it to regulate the traffic, which would be affected by the truck ban in Manila,” Henson said.

Invited to the public hearing were operators of trucking firms located along Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, which had been the target of residents who complain about the truck drivers’ disregard of traffic rules.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan called for the amendment to prevent the roads in the city from being used as parking areas by truck drivers who are waiting for the lifting of the truck ban in Manila.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the truck ban in Manila had eased traffic in his city.

“It is good on our part but we would like to strictly enforce the law against truck drivers who are illegally parking their trucks within our city while waiting for the lifting of the ban in Manila.”

The International Container Terminal Services Inc., operator of the Manila North Harbor, said the country’s economic growth would likely slow down due to the daytime truck ban imposed by the city government of Manila. – With Lawrence Agcaoili, Mayen Jaymalin, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rey Galupo, Louella Desiderio