Trucks participating in the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) have finally been granted exemption from the truck ban by the Metro Manila Council-Special Traffic Committee (MMC-STC).
In Resolution No. 02-2016 approved on January 13, MMC-STC said the exemption will “encourage more trucks to participate in TABS.” In early December, the management of Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), one of two Manila international terminals where the system is operational, said in an advisory that less than half of the expected users of TABS have so far registered since the new system went live on October 1, 2015.
READ: Strict implementation of TABS may be moved forward if compliance remains low
The MMC-STC resolution carried no date of effectivity but Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras earlier said the truck ban exemption is targeted for adoption on February 15.
READ: Truck ban exemption for TABS users eyed starting Feb 15
TABS is an electronic platform for booking containers at Manila South Harbor and MICT, specifically developed to minimize road traffic and prevent container build-ups. The Manila port operators said TABS will ensure a more organized flow of containerized cargoes in and out of the terminals while providing real-time information on container status.
MMC-STC noted that TABS was created to “reduce the number of trucks during traffic peak periods without affecting the total number of imports and exports going in and out of the port, utilize traditional supply chain off-peak hours and reduce truck cycle times and maximize truck utilization.”
With TABS, trucks are “scheduled to deliver goods in and outside the port of Manila to minimize port/traffic congestion in the Metropolis,” said MMC-STC.
Under the TABS points system, truck operators will be rewarded for booking and transiting Manila during low traffic periods, and penalized when they arrive late, do not show up, or did not book their arrival. – Roumina Pablo
