MMDA proposes night cargo runs

An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) asked freight forwarders yesterday to consider transporting their cargo only at night to decongest the volume of daytime traffic.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno, a guest at the Kapihan sa Max forum, reiterated his call to all freight forwarders to make their deliveries in the evening and refrain from conducting day trips to ease the flow of traffic.

Nacianceno said they have long made the proposal to freight forwarders, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to reduce the traffic gridlock on the R-10 in Tondo and roads leading to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Instead of allowing cargo trucks to travel during the morning rush hour, it would be more advisable to release them when there are fewer vehicles on the road, the MMDA official said.

A sizable number of trucks that come from the pier travel to factories and warehouses located outside Metro Manila.

"It was proposed by the MMDA before, but has not yet been implemented because the companies were concerned about security. They also do not want to pay the night differential to drivers."

He pointed out, however, that shippers and freight forwarders stand to incur delays and bigger losses whenever they transport cargo at daytime because of the traffic.

Meanwhile, Nacianceno said they have taken steps to improve major Metro Manila roads frequently used by trucks such as McArthur Highway, Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Highway, C-5 Road and Quezon Avenue.

These roads connect Metro cities and municipalities to those in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite.

The MMDA said it intends to place improvements such as pedestrian fences, footbridges, urinals, loading and unloading bays as well as improve drainage systems and sidewalks of these major roads.