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By James Konstantin Galvez, Reporter
The Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) has lifted the truck ban in Metro Manila
during rush hours as a remedy to supposedly impending increases in
prices of basic commodities.
The truck ban has been blamed for delays that
cost merchants time and money before their goods can reach the
market. These traders have been accused of citing such delays as
reason for jacking up prices of their goods. The truck ban had been
implemented by the government to ease traffic snarls in Metro
Manila, or Region XIII, the National Capital Region.
Thompson Lantion, Transportation undersecretary,
on Tuesday said he had issued an order allowing trucks to deliver
perishable goods to major markets in Metro Manila without worrying
about the truck ban.
Lantion, also the chairman of the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, added that only
those trucks carrying perishable commodities will be allowed to
transport the goods during rush hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and
from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The Transportation department, Metro Manila
Development Authority, local government units, and truckers’
organizations agreed on Tuesday to lift the truck ban to ease
reported concerns of the public on the supposedly looming price
spikes.
Lantion said they will study requests of
truckers to set up a “food lane” in major markets in Metro
Manila to avoid delays in unloading their goods.
The Department of Agriculture will issue special
permits to truckers carrying perishable commodities to avoid
penalties in case traffic enforcers apprehend them.
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