DPWH urges implementation of anti-overloading law

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has appealed to law enforcement agencies to strictly implement the Anti-Overloading Law at McArthur Highway in northern Metro Manila.

DPWH Region III director Ramon Aquino called on the Land Transportation Office and Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police to prevent the deterioration of the highway.

Earlier, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. directed the widening of major road sections of the highway and the strict monitoring of overloaded trucks using the highway as an alternative to the North Luzon Expressway.

It was later learned that almost all the 410 trucks that were randomly weighed through portable axle load weighing scales were found to be overloaded.

Under the Anti-Overloading Law, trucks and trailers that exceed the 13.5 tons per axle gross vehicle weight should be penalized and prohibited from proceeding on the highway.

To lessen overloading problems on the highway, Aquino has suggested that truck owners upgrade their vehicles.

Aquino likewise reported that they have completed 81 percent of Phase I of the widening project. A portion of McArthur Highway from Meycauayan, Bulacan to Tarlac City has now been upgraded and widened.