The Truck Ban Ordinance in Metro Manila regulates the movement of cargo trucks on specified roads during designated hours to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure road safety. Violators of the ordinance may face fines of P2,000 and potential suspension of their driver’s license upon repeated offenses.
Implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), this ordinance exempts certain types of cargo trucks, such as those transporting essential goods, and provides alternative routes for trucks traveling to and from the Port Area to minimize disruptions in traffic flow. Additionally, it is crucial for drivers and stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the ordinance’s provisions and adhere to its regulations to contribute to a more efficient transportation system in the metropolis.
What is the Truck Ban Ordinance?
The Truck Ban Ordinance is an ordinance enforced by the MMDA to restrict the movement of cargo trucks on specified roads during designated hours. It imposes limitations on cargo trucks’ mobility along designated routes during specific timeframes. These restrictions aim to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, and promote the efficient flow of vehicular traffic and enhance the overall traffic management system across Metro Manila.
The ordinance sets specific hours and routes for cargo trucks and similar vehicles, identified by license plates falling under classifications like “S,” “T,” “TC,” “TH,” “TRLB,” “HHB,” and “TRJ,” and exceeding a gross weight of 4,500 kilograms, aiming to streamline traffic flow and enhance commuter navigation. It encompasses various vehicle types, including delivery vehicles, lorries, vans, tankers, closed vans (3000kg & 4000kg), open trucks, 6w Fwd trucks, and wing vans, to regulate their movement effectively. By implementing these regulations, the MMDA endeavors to create safer road conditions and ease congestion on Metro Manila’s transportation networks during peak periods.
Key Provisions
Understanding the truck ban ordinance is essential for commuters, motorists, and stakeholders to navigate traffic regulations, minimize disruptions, and contribute to a smoother transportation system in Metro Manila. This goal is carried out by implementing the following provisions covered by the ordinance:
- Restricts the movement of cargo trucks on specified roads during designated hours.
- Designates peak hours for enforcement, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day except Sundays and holidays.
- Identifies major roads subject to the ordinance. Some of the major roads in Metro Manila subjected to the Truck Ban ordinance during designated hours, include:
- España Street through Quezon Avenue
- Claro M. Recto Avenue
- President Quirino Avenue
- P. Burgos Street
- E. Rodriguez Avenue
- South Superhighway
- Taft Avenue
- Bonifacio Drive
- Rizal Avenue
- Reina Regente Street
- Makati CBD
- Ortigas CBD
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Exempts certain types of cargo trucks, such as:
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Those transporting essential goods regulated by the MMDA
- Trucks transporting perishable goods
- Provides alternative routes for trucks traveling to and from the Port Area to minimize traffic disruptions.
Truck Ban Coverage
Some road where the Truck Ban Ordinance applies, include:
- España St. through Quezon Ave. from Echague St. to the intersection of West and South Ave.
- Claro M. Recto Ave. from Legarda St. to Del Pan St.
- President Quirino Ave. from South Superhighway to Roxas Blvd.
- P. Burgos St. through Ayala Blvd., Legarda St., Magsaysay Blvd. and Aurora Blvd., from Roxas Blvd. to Boston St.
- E. Rodriguez Ave. through Bonifacio Ave. from Welcome Rotonda to Shoe Ave.
- South Superhighway through Nagtahan Bridge and Alfonso Mendoza St. from EDSA to Dimasalang St.
- Taft Ave. through Quirino Ave. from Redemptorist St. to Plaza Lawton, to include McArthur, Quezon and Jones Bridges
- Bonifacio Drive through Roxas Blvd. and NAIA Road to Aduana St. to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
- Rizal Ave. through Rizal Ave. Extension from Carriedo St. to the Bonifacio Monument
- Reina Regente St. through Abad Santos St. from Regina Regente Bridge to Rizal Ave. Extension
Note: For deliveries in and around Makati City, the truck ban is scheduled from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Total Truck Ban Coverage
While the truck ban generally restricts the cargo trucks over 4,500 kg. from passing through at designated hours on specific roads, some areas implement a Total Truck Ban—a complete prohibition of truck movement along certain routes or areas. Some areas in Metro Manila that implement a “Total Truck Ban” include:
- Epifanio Delos Santos Ave. (EDSA)
- Makati Business District
- Ortigas Business District, Pasig City; and
- Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Uniform Light Truck Ban
The Uniform Light Truck Ban targets light trucks with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms or below, imposing restrictions on their movement along designated roads or during specific hours. This measure aims to regulate traffic flow, minimize road wear caused by heavier vehicles, and enhance overall road safety in Metro Manila. Exemptions may apply to certain government vehicles, emergency vehicles, and those granted special permission by the MMDA.
Alternate Routes to the Port Area
There are alternate truck routes intended for cargo trucks who wish to go to and from the Port Area and these routes are not included in the ban:
Southern Truck Route
- From Port Area to South Superhighway
- Bonifacio Drive, left P. Burgos, Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard, right San Marcelino, left President Quirino, right South Superhighway
- From South Superhighway to Port Area
- South Superhighway, right President Quirino, left United Nations Avenue, right Romualdez Street, left Ayala, P. Burgos, right Bonifacio Drive, to Port Area.
Northern Truck Route
- From Port Area to North Diversion Road
- From Pier Zone, travel northward along R-10, right Capulong towards Tayuman, straight ahead towards Gov. Forbes, left Maria Clara, left Dimasalang, right Blumentritt, left A. Bonifacio and find your way to the north.
- From North Diversion Road to Port Area
- From the north and traveling southward along A. Bonifacio Avenue, right Blumentritt, left Aurora Boulevard, right Dimasalang, right Aragon Street, right Gov. Forbes towards Tayuman and Capulong, left R-10 to the Pier Zone.
Eastern Truck Route
- From Port Area to Marcos Highway
- From Pier Zone traveling northward along R-10, right Capulong towards Tayuman, straight ahead towards Gov. Forbes, left Maria Clara, cross Dimasalang, straight ahead towards Constancia, right at Constancia, left Laong Laan, straight towards D. Tuazon Avenue, left Quezon Boulevard Extension, straight towards Elliptical Road, take Don Mariano Marcos Avenue, left Aurora Boulevard, straight towards Marcos Highway.
- From Marcos Highway to Port Area
- Marcos Highway straight towards Aurora Boulevard, right at Katipunan, straight towards Tandang Sora, left Don Mariano Marcos Avenue, straight towards Elliptical Road, take Quezon Boulevard Extension, straight towards West Avenue, right West Avenue, left Del Monte Avenue, straight towards A. Bonifacio, left A. Bonifacio Drive, right Blumentritt, left Aurora Boulevard, right Dimasalang, right /aragon Street, right Gov. Forbes towards Tayuman and Capulong, left R-10 to the Pier Zone.
Fines and Penalties
Also covered by the Trucks Ban Ordinance is the fines and penalties to be imposed to the violators, which is as follows:
- A fine of P2,000 for each offense
- One year suspension of driver’s license of drivers apprehended for violating the ordinance three times.
Note: The license suspension applies upon recommendation of the MMDA to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Video: EDSA Truck Ban Explained
For better understanding of the truck ban ordinance implemented along EDSA, you may check out this video from Gadget Addict.
Summary
Simply put, vehicles exceeding the weight threshold of 4,500 kilograms fall under the Truck Ban, necessitating compliance with specified hours and routes. It’s crucial to distinguish this from the “Uniform Light Trucks” category, which applies restrictions to trucks weighing 4,500 kilograms or less, aiding in adherence to the ordinance and avoiding violations and potential fines or penalties.