Govs told: Set province-wide synchronized truck ban hours

In an effort to help ease traffic congestion and reduce vehicular mishaps, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all governors to establish province-wide synchronized truck ban hours in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) not later than Sept. 15.

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the governors should consult affected stakeholders in determining the uniform truck ban hours and enact an ordinance setting the guidelines for the ban.

“The determination of truck ban hours, including the processes and appropriate mechanisms involved for the identification of trucks exempted from the truck ban, shall be the responsibility of the provincial governor, in coordination with the LTO and other concerned stakeholders,” Puno said in a memorandum to all governors.

Puno directed all DILG regional directors to submit their status reports on the local governments’ compliance with the truck ban circular not later than Oct. 3.

He said he issued the circular to provide guidelines on the implementation of the truck ban outside Metro Manila.

In the metropolis, the truck ban is governed by existing rules and regulations of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Outside Metro Manila, Puno said a truck ban may be imposed on local roads or streets “in consideration of the general welfare and well-being, promotion of public safety, and reduction of community truck impacts and mishaps.”

“City and municipal authorities are prohibited from imposing a truck ban on national roads and highways,” Puno said.

He said trucks and delivery vans carrying rice and other perishable items such as fish, vegetables, dairy and poultry products, animal feeds, frozen meat products and export goods are exempted from the truck ban.

Also exempted are garbage trucks, fire trucks, military trucks, ambulances and government trucks transporting materials or goods for a government project, Puno added.

Puno reminded the governors to observe pertinent provisions of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law and other existing statutes and regulations in enforcing the synchronized truck ban.

Puno issued the circular in compliance with Section 5 of Executive Order 712 issued by President Arroyo, which states that the DILG “shall, subject to existing laws, establish and implement uniform truck ban hours that shall be applicable to local government units located in a common area nationwide.”