Implementing rules out for truck ban exemption of TABS users

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covers only cargo and container trucks with or without containers bound for or coming out of Asian Terminals Inc. (Manila South Harbor) or Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
 covers only cargo and container trucks with or without containers bound for or coming out of Asian Terminals Inc. (Manila South Harbor) or Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
Exemption from the truck ban covers only cargo and container trucks with or without containers bound for or coming out of Asian Terminals Inc. (Manila South Harbor, in photo) or Manila International Container Terminal. Photo courtesy of Asian Terminals.

From March 15, trucks with scheduled deliveries and pick-ups at Manila’s two international terminals under the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) are exempt from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) truck ban through MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 06-2016.

MC 06-2016 acts as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Metro Manila Council-Special Traffic Committee (MMC-STC) Resolution 1-2016 that grants trucks using TABS an exemption from the truck ban. Published on February 29, MC 06-2016 takes effect 15 days after publication.

In the circular’s rationale, it said, “The government mandated the port operators to implement a Truck Appointment Booking System to reduce the number of trucks during traffic peak periods without affecting the total number of imports and exports going out of the ports.”

The MMC supports the implementation of TABS to avoid a repeat of the port congestion in 2014, it added.

READ: PH Cabinet official defends online container booking system

The new regulation covers only cargo and container trucks with or without containers bound for or coming out of Asian Terminals Inc. (Manila South Harbor) or Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

“Two hours before the truck’s scheduled TABS booking and two hours after the truck’s egress from the port, covered trucks are exempted from morning truck ban hours (6am to 10am) on all truck routes,” MC 06-2016 stated.

For the evening truck ban (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled TABS booking and two-and-a-half hours after exit from the port are given as exemption on all truck routes.

“Truck ban exemption is valid only during the window allotted which may be validated by short message service (SMS) system,” the rule noted.

TABS users and traffic enforcers may send an SMS or text message to 292 908129 to check for confirmed bookings and the truck ban exemption hours.

TABS users may use Roxas Boulevard going to or coming from the ports.

Exemption from the truck ban does not cover EDSA (from Magallanes in Makati City to North Avenue in uezon City), and the three central business districts of Makati, Pasig, and Taguig, where the total truck ban will still be strictly observed.

TABS users are also not exempt from the Single Lane Policy except on Bonifacio Drive and Road 10, Manila, where TABS users may use a passing-through lane during truck hours, the memorandum circular noted.

Under MC 06-2016, available slots for Mondays to Saturdays are 300 per hour from 12am to 4am; 200 per hour from 4am to 10pm; and 300 from 10pm to midnight. All hours on Sundays have 300 slots each.

At least one day prior to their TABS schedule, truckers should send a hard copy of the plate numbers of the trucks exempted to concerned local government units.

“Any abuse in the exemption and use of TABS will be recommended for suspension of driver’s license and/or revocation of franchise,” the memo stated.

Violation of MC 06-2016 will result in the apprehension of the truck and a fine or penalty levied corresponding to the violation committed. – Roumina Pablo