The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) is requesting the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to allow use of Roxas Boulevard’s inner lane from 12 midnight to 6 a.m. for truck deliveries to and from the south of Manila.
Under Metro Manila Council (MMC) Resolution No. 10-2014, MMDA on December 3 imposed a six-month truck ban on Roxas Boulevard to ease heavy traffic during the holiday season and the holding of major events in the country, such as Pope Francis’ visit in January, observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene also in January, and the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conferences.
Truckers were allowed use of the old route going from the Port Area to the Cavite Expressway and vice versa. This route is as follows:
From Port Area to SLEX: Bonifacio Drive, left P. Burgos, Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard, right San Marcelino, right Plaza Dilao, right Pres. Quirino Extension, left Osmeña Highway
From SLEX to Port Area: SLEX right to Pres. Quirino, left to Plaza Dilao, left to United Nations, right Romualdez Street, left Ayala Boulevard-P. Burgos, right Bonifacio Drive to destination
But CTAP president Ruperto Bayocot told PortCalls the old route, which truckers share with other vehicles, entails “additional three hours in travel time and 100% on fuel expenses.”
Bayocot said the rerouting affects shipments headed not only for Cavite but other places in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) area, where “more or less 40% of the total daily withdrawal from MICT (Manila International Container Terminal) and South Harbour” goes.
“Out of the 5,000 trucks, 40% are bound (for) South and Cavite,” Bayocot noted.
The ban will also delay the easing of congestion at the Manila ports from the earlier forecast January or February next year to March, Bayocot said.
CTAP has already sent MMDA a letter seeking a reconsideration of the Roxas Boulevard ban.
MMDA assistant general manager Emerson Carlos, in a text message to PortCalls, said the MMC meeting on December 8 regarding the truckers’ request has been postponed indefinitely as the authority focused on preparing for typhoon Ruby. – Roumina Pablo
