MMDA to extend 'one truck lane policy' on C5, Katipunan to July 2015

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Council (MMC) that serves as the policy-making arm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and is composed of all the mayors of Metro Manila, has approved the extension of the “one truck lane policy” along C5 Road and Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City until July 31, 2015.

The “one truck lane policy,” which the MMDA started implementing last September 1, is supposed to end on Jan. 31, 2015.

In a resolution, the MMC through its Special Traffic Committee, authorized the MMDA to extend the implementation of the “one truck lane policy” on C5 Road and Katipunan Avenue from Feb. 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

As part of the implementation of the “one truck lane policy,” the MMDA has also closed U-turn slots between Aurora Boulevard and C.P. Garcia Avenue.

The “one truck-lane policy” was initially implemented along a portion of the C5 Road in Bagong Ilog in Pasig City to C.P. Garcia Avenue.

In place of the closed U-turn slots along Katipunan, the MMDA opened two intersections equipped with traffic signals at the Ateneo de Manila University Gate 3 and at the fate 1 of Miriam College.

The MMDA also opened intersections with traffic signal lights at the C5’s intersections at Lanuza, Greenmeadows, Calle Industria and at Eastwood.

U-turn slots at Libis, at the Bagong Ilog flyover and at Ortigas were meanwhile maintained open.

The truck lane, located at the third lane of the C5 Road from the sidewalk, is open for trucks from 10 am to 5 pm and then again from 10 pm to 6 am.

The MMDA has allowed private vehicles to use the truck lane during the truck ban hours between 6 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 9 pm. The truck ban hours are imposed everyday except Sundays and holidays.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the imposition of the “one truck lane policy” along the C5 Road is aimed to address traffic congestion in the whole stretch of C5 caused by a huge increase in the volume of trucks passing through C5.

"Studies showed that there is an 80 percent increase in the total volume of trucks plying along C-5 during the granting of provisional authorities to trucks for hire applicants and the no apprehension policy by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board," Tolentino said.

Under the “one truck lane policy” on the C5 Road, trucks will only use the third lane from the sidewalk of the the C5 Road and will strictly observe the one-lane policy.

Trucks under the policy will also not be allowed to park on any street along the C5 Road.

Crisanto Saruca, head of the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office said trucks that will fail to follow the “one truck lane policy” will be impounded with the owners to pay a P2,000 fine. In addition, the MMDA will also recommend the blacklisting of the offending trucking company.