PHILIPPINE truckers welcomed suspension of the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (GVW) ruling for certain types of trucks/trailers, but say more needs to be done.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson suspended until January 31, 2014 the apprehension of trucks/trailers falling under codes 12-2 and 12-3 exceeding the allowable GVW. This after a hundred truckers belonging to the Aduana Business Club camped in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways head office in Port Area on July 18, snarling traffic in the area.
The per-axle load limit of 13,500 kilograms, however, remains in force nationwide.
The truckers protested against what they claimed was the “complicated interpretation” of overloading rules under Republic Act No. 8794 (An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicle and for Other Purposes).
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who went to the Port Area to appeal for a stop to the strike, said he will call a traffic summit in Manila.
Trucks falling under the 12-2 code are semi-trailers with three axles for the towing truck and two-axles for the trailer, for a total of 18 wheels. Semi-trailers under code 12-3 have three axles for the towing vehicle and three for the trailer, for a total 22 wheels.
Under the revised implementing rules of RA 8794, 12-2 semi-trailers have a maximum GVW of 41,500 kilograms and 12-3 vehicles, 42,000 kg.
The Confederation of Truckers Associations of the Philippines (CTAP) and the Integrated North Harbor Truckers Association (INHTA) told PortCalls they welcome the suspension of the GVW policy.
But INHTA president Teodorico Gervacio said the group is drafting a position paper for new truck configurations. Gervacio said truck codes 11-2 and 11-3 differ from other configurations in that they can be used to carry both 20- and 40-footers. However, under the current rules, 11-2 and 11-3 trucks that load 40-footers are already considered overweight.
Earlier, CTAP president Ruperto Bayocot asked that the maximum allowable GVW for trucks/trailers under code 12-2 be adjusted from 41,500 kgs to 52,200 kgs and under code 12-3 from 42,000 kgs to 57,000 kgs.
CTAP is also pushing for a 24-hour service route (formerly the 24-hour-window truck ban when former First Lady Imelda Marcos was also governor of Metro Manila) which trucks can use round the clock. This, Bayocot said, is efficient, lessens traffic congestion and speeds up turnaround.
Delays caused by truck bans can cause delivery interruptions, especially of raw materials for manufacturing, agricultural products and finished goods, leading to cancellation of orders, Bayocot said.
“We’re lucky to have four roundtrip deliveries a week,” he added.
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