Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) is keen on strictly enforcing the Anti-Overloading Law across Central Luzon.
This, after several consultations showed that overloaded trucks have caused the fast deterioration of portions of major thoroughfares in and out of the region.
DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said they are now partnering with local government units and other concerned national government agencies for the strict enforcement of the required weight limit.
Republic Act 8794 sets the allowable maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for trucks passing through the national roads and bridges.
Provincial government of Pampanga is the first to lead the implementation of the measure.
Governor Dennis Pineda on August 2 enjoined quarry operators and truckers to abide by the law by limiting their weight load.
He also implemented a moratorium on quarrying in the province and banned overloaded trucks from its roads.
In Bulacan, DPWH is strictly monitoring the load requirement of trucks passing by the Ilog Bakod Bridge in San Miguel town.
This is amid the rehabilitation works being undertaken by Bulacan 2nd District Engineering Office in the infrastructure.
The agency advised all truckers including those coming from Northern Luzon to comply with the weight limit imposed to avoid inconvenience.
Reports said trucks coming from the Cagayan Valley Region seemed not aware of the imposed load restriction.
The situation is now contributing to the gridlock in San Miguel because of the load restrictions.
To address the situation, DPWH met with local officials while the San Miguel Municipal Police Station contacted their counterparts in Gapan City and requested for a joint effort to prevent the entry of overloaded truck heading to the town.
A trial weighing of trucks was conducted at the DPWH operated Anti-truck Overloading Mobile Enforcement station in Gapan City.
San Miguel Municipal Police Station Chief PLt. Col. Jayson San Pedro; San Miguel Municipal Engineer Ma. Cecilia Dela Mines, and DPWH Regional Maintenance Engineer Rodolfo David agreed to utilize the said weighing facility and issue passes or clearances to trucks that comply with the load limit per RA 8794.
Only those who meet the GVW based on their truck configuration will be allowed to pass through the Ilog Bakod Bridge.
Trucks from Bulacan headed to Gapan City will also need to secure a pass from the Tabang Weighbridge in Bulacan.
Trucks plying the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) must first secure clearance from the tollway’s weighing team.
Truckers are reminded, though that the NLEX still enforces the 33-metric ton load limit at the expressway.
NLEX is also intensifying the implementation of the anti-overloading policy due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the Candaba Viaduct which resulted to the diversion of traffic in Daang Maharlika and Manila North Road.
The repair of the Ilog Bakod Bridge is expected to be completed on or before September this year. (CLJD-PIA 3)