The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) is asking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reconsider its approved tolerance limit for weight of trucks relative to the implementation of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.
CTAP pointed out that the type of truck granted a higher tolerance percentage by the DPWH is not normally used in the country.
It maybe recalled that the DPWH suspended implementation of the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) provision of RA 8794 pending further study and to accommodate the request of the haulage industry for a higher weight tolerance.
Currently in force is the 13.5-ton per axle limit.
Based on DPWH studies, 22-wheeler trucks (Code 12-3), the most commonly used in the country, should have a 2% overloading tolerance percentage of from 41,000 kilograms (kg) to 42,000 kg. On the other hand, 14- wheelers (Code 11-11) and 18-wheelers (Code 11-12), trucks not available in the Philippines, should have a 41% and 17% tolerance limit, respectively.
In a recent letter addressed to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and signed by CTAP president Ruperto Bayocot, chairman Col. Rodolfo De Ocampo and group adviser retired general Edgar Aglipay, the association questioned the parameters used in the evaluation and the “unfair treatment” accorded to trucks/trailers falling under Code 12-3.
They asserted their recommendation of at least 20% across-the-board increase in tolerance percentage from the existing GVW.
“We recall that some of our proposals were indeed considered and, on that score, we are grateful to your evaluation team,” CTAP said in the letter. “However, we note that the commonly used configuration of trucks/trailers under Code 12-3 was given a maximum allowable weight of 42,000 kg or an increase of about 2% from the existing GVW of 41,000 kg,” the letter showed.
“On the other hand, Code 11-11 and Code 11-12, the types of trucks/trailers that are not used or available in the Philippines were assigned unprecedented increases.”
It added, “A minuscule increase of 2% from the existing GVW will not alter the adverse effects that truckers experienced, much less deter the negative impact of the weight restriction to the economy as a whole.”
Instead, CTAP is proposing that the existing GVW for Code 12-3 trucks of 41,000 kg be adjusted to 49,000 kg.
The other recommended maximum allowable GVW are as follows: trucks with 2 axle (6 wheels)- 18,000 kgs; trucks with tandem rear axle/ 3 axles (10 wheels)- 33,300 kgs; trucks with tandem rear axle/ 4 axle (14 wheels)- 35,600 kgs; truck semi-trailer with 3 axles (10 wheels) – 34,000 kgs; truck semi-trailer with 4 axles (14 wheels)- 40,600 kgs; truck semi trailer with 5 axles (18 wheels)- 41,500 kgs; truck trailer 2 axles at prime mover /3 axles at trailer (18 wheels)- 41,000 kgs; truck trailer 2 axles at prime mover / 2 axles at trailer (14 wheels)- 43,000 kgs; truck trailer 2axles at prime mover / 3 axles at trailer (18 wheels)- 43,500 kgs; truck trailers 3 axles at prime movers / 3 axles at trailer (22 wheels)- 42,000 kgs; truck trailer 3 axles at prime mover / 2 axles at trailer (18 wheels)- 43,500 kgs; and truck trailer 3 axles at prime mover / 3 axles at trailer (22 wheels)- 45,000.
Photo of Trucks In Light by Bill Longshaw
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