PH public works enforces stricter load rules for trucks, trailers

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Philippine truckers need to reconfigure their vehicles’ load capacity to avoid penalties, as the government begins implementing a new policy against overloading on June 1.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has prescribed new gross vehicle weights that correspond with vehicle configurations to ensure that a truck is not overloaded from the point of origin up to its final destination.

“We have to protect our road pavements from being damaged by these overloaded trucks and haulers,” Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said.

“In some heavily traveled national road sections, we have already increased the thickness of the concrete pavement from 230 millimeters to 280 mm to withstand the allowable load of hauling trucks and trailers,” he said.

The amended regulations set the following maximum allowable gross vehicle weights (GVW) according to description:

For a truck with 2 axles (6 wheels), the allowable GVW is 18,000 kilograms (kgs). A truck with tandem rear axle 3 axles (10 wheels) will have 33,300 kgs; a truck with tandem rear axle and 4 axles (14 wheels), 35,600 kgs.

A truck-trailer with 2 axles at motor vehicle and one axle at trailer (10 wheels) can have 34,000 kgs; a truck-trailer with 2 axles at motor vehicle and 2 axles at trailer (14 wheels), 40,600 kgs; a truck-trailer with 2 axles at motor vehicle and 3 axles at trailer (18 wheels), 41,000 kgs.

A truck-semi-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and one axle at trailer (14 wheels)’s GVW is 39,700 kgs; a truck semi-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and 2 axles at trailer (18 wheels), 41,500 kgs; a truck semi-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and 3 axles at trailer (22 wheels) 42,000 kgs; a truck-trailer with 2 axles at motor vehicle and 2 axles at trailer (14 wheels), 39,700 kgs; a truck-trailer with 2 axles at motor vehicle and 3 axles at trailer (18 wheels), 43,500 kgs; a truck-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and 2 axles at trailer (18 wheels), 43,500 kgs; and lastly, a truck-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and 3 axles at trailer (22 wheels) can have 45,000 kgs gross vehicle weight.

“We will give truckers ample time to notify their clients and shippers about the new load regulation, which has already been increased and ensure proper and effective enforcement and strict observance on the anti-overloading provisions,” he said.

DPWH installed and operates weighbridge stations or portable weighing machines at strategic locations along national roads. DPWH may also outsource to private contractors the operation of the weighbridge stations/portable weighing machines which will be operated 24 hours a day, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will impose penalties on overloaded vehicles as determined through the operation of weighbridges and portable axle load weighing devices.

The LTO personnel or his duly deputized DPWH or Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group personnel assigned at the station will issue to the driver of the overloaded vehicle a Temporary Operator’s Permit indicating the excess load and the corresponding penalty to be paid in the amount equivalent to 25% of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge applicable to the vehicle at the time of infringement.

The DPWH may issue a permit to travel which will be required of vehicles loaded with inseparable/or special cargoes exceeding the corresponding GVW and vehicles with a configuration different from those cited.

The requirements for issuing special permits to travel includes a copy of registration certificate; copy of official receipt of registration; technical data of the vehicle in the manufacturer’s brochure or vehicle diagram signed by the owner specifying the gross vehicle weight, plan and side elevation with dimensions of the vehicle, number of wheels per axle, and load per axle; and specific route to be taken and bridge to be crossed by the vehicle indicated in a road map signed by the owner.