Government suspends anew the enforcement of the revised maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (GVW) for trucks and trailers under the amended provision of implementing rules and regulations on overloading.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, as authorized under Republic Act 8794 (An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicle and for Other Purposes), granted the request of concerned haulers/truckers to defer the February 1, 2014 implementation of maximum GVW for truck with three (3) axles motor vehicle and two (2) axles trailer, and truck with three (3) axles motor vehicle and three (3) axles trailer under Codes 12-2 and 12-3, respectively.
Secretary Singson said that the extended suspension of enforcement until July 31, 2014 is more than enough time for truckers to upgrade their transport fleets to conform the latest GVW considering that the new prescribed maximum GVW depending on the configuration of trucks and trailers per RA 8794 should take effect on June 1, 2013.
Under the law, trucks and trailers under Codes 12-2 and 12-3 with load exceeding prescribed GVW of 41,500 and 42,000 kilograms, respectively, and load per axle of more than 13,500 kilograms are prohibited to travel as it is considered overloading.
An amount equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of the MVUC in the motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office is imposed on apprehended trucks and trailers for loading beyond their capacity.
The road assets are being severely damaged due to overloading and the premature deterioration of pavement squander the valuable public funds that could have been invested by the government to other worthy projects, added Singson.
Meanwhile, three (3 pavement rehabilitation and improvement project of the Department of Public Works and Highways along EDSA will begin at 10 PM tonight (February 21, 2014) following the approval of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
DPWH National Capital Region Director Reynaldo G. Tagudando appealed for the public’s continued understanding to bear with this temporary inconvenience - of traffic build up/slowdown in the EDSA repair areas Makati, Mandaluyong and Caloocan Cities as he advices the public to allot longer travel time while repairs are ongoing.”
These are needed repairs, which will result not just to longer road performance but improve movement of vehicles in EDSA” said Tagundando.
For the repair works in Makati City, Tagudando on instruction of Secretary Singson directed the DPWH Metro Manila Second District Engineering Office (DEO) to closely monitor the repair works along EDSA, between Guadalupe Bridge and South Drive (Southbound, 5th lane) while the repair activity in EDSA Mandaluyong - specifically between Boni Avenue and Guadalupe Bridge (Southbound) - will be supervised by DPWH Metro Manila First DEO. DPWH Metro Manila Third DEO is in command of the re-blocking works at northbound of EDSA Caloocan from Don Ang Street and Gen. Tinio Street (5th lane).
DPWH, in coordination with MMDA, is implementing road repair works on weekends when EDSA is less busy, given the lesser volume of commuters and motorists on these days.