Central Luzon truckers support weight limit policy

TARLAC CITY — Eleven trucking companies in Central Luzon have signified their support for the government’s move to protect the North Luzon Tollway from rapid deterioration by preventing overweight vehicles from plying the superhighway.

Owners of the trucking firms, in a meeting held at the Days Hotel in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, agreed to strictly observe vehicle weight limits to minimize the costly repair of damages to Metro Manila’s vital link to Central and Northern Luzon.

The affair was organized by the Task Force on Strategic Infrastructure Development of the Presidential Commission for the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC).

It was also attended by representatives of the state-owned Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC).

During the meeting, the government representatives and the truck firms’ owners agreed that "there is lack of awareness among truck drivers and operators (on the government’s weight limit policy), thus the need for an education and awareness campaign."

To implement the vehicle weight limit policy, it was decided that representatives from both the government and the trucking firms will meet with truck manufacturers on the issue.

The truckers also suggested that weigh bridges be installed in "strategic locations," especially where there are many trucks being used in gravel and sand quarrying operations.

The PCCLGC said it is exploring the possibility of tapping the Natural Resources Development Corp. (NRDC) to help in setting up the weigh bridges.