Truckers clog Anda Circle to protest NLEX toll hike

MANILA, Philippines — Truck drivers and operators paralyzed traffic flow at Anda Circle in Manila yesterday morning to protest the proposed increase in toll rates at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Around 40 container trucks and 100 members of the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners Organization (ACTOO) gathered at Gate 6 of the South Harbor in Port Area past 5:30 a.m., according to the Manila Police District (MPD).

They then assembled around the roundabout – with a fountain and monument to Simon Anda – and effectively slowed traffic around it. Motorists felt the vehicular buildup around 7:30 a.m.

Drivers in the truckers’ caravan carried tarpaulins with statements like “Hoy NLEX dagdag na presyo!!! Pangit naman ang serbisyo!!!,” “NLEX, puro kayo hirit! Ayusin n’yo muna trapik. Ayusin n’yo muna pasilidad n’yo!” and “NLEX RFID bulok ang serbisyo!” – all decrying the increase in the toll rates without improvement in its services.

Officials and personnel of the MPD, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau chief for operations Wilson Chan and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority assistant general manager for operations David Angelo Vargas convinced the rallying truckers to end their protest. This was after the organizers did not show any permit for the mass action.

Anda Circle was cleared of the trucks around 8:20 a.m., but they continued their caravan along Mel Lopez Boulevard. The MPD noted that the convoy stretched more than three kilometers from Anda Circle to Pacheco Street.

The rallying truckers ended their protest and dispersed around 9:30 a.m., police reported.

ACTOO director Connie Tinio said truckers pay the highest toll rates, and they had to stage their protest to criticize NLEX’s plan to increase tolls without improving facilities and traffic flow along the expressway.

She also warned that their caravan at Anda Circle was a “prelude” to more rallies if NLEX pushes through with the proposed toll rate hike.