The Manila city government will open on August 19 another express trade lane for trucks headed south of Metro Manila.
Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on August 13 said the additional express trade lane will facilitate the flow of trucks coming from the Port Area, via the existing trade lane on Roxas Boulevard, through Quirino Avenue and Osmeña Highway to reach South Superhighway, and to return to Manila using the same route.
The first express trade lane opened on May 31 covers Manila via Roxas Boulevard using the route R10, C3 Road, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio, Balintawak, then North Luzon Expressway, and vice versa.
At the Senate hearing on port congestion, also on August 13, Domagoso said the additional lane was approved by Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada on August 11.
Domagoso’s announcement comes as the Cabinet cluster on port decongestion (CCPD) announced its own proposal seeking additional dedicated routes for truckers going eastbound in a bid to decongest Manila.
The Philippine Ports Authority said CCPD will propose to President Benigno Aquino III the expansion of the express trade lanes in anticipation of the peak shipping season.
In the form of an executive order, the proposal will include an additional six lanes to serve eastbound trades such as Cainta, Marikina, and Pasig.
On top of the express trade lanes approved by Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Council Special Traffic Committee on June 9 issued a resolution putting in place 24-hour truck routes in Metro Manila for a period of six months, or from June 10 to December 10. – Roumina Pablo
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