NLEX Corporation strengthens its campaign for road safety as it enjoins government stakeholders to institute and enforce measures against overloaded vehicles and stoning along the NLEX-SCTEX.
In a forum spearheaded by key local government officials of Bulacan, NLEX tackled its role of ensuring the safety of motorists by preserving its assets such as roads and bridges. It specifically discussed the intensified implementation of the anti-overloading policy to further safeguard motorists plying the NLEX-SCTEX.
“Overloaded vehicles pose safety hazards and cause premature deterioration of roads and bridges. We are seeking the help of our partners in the government to boost overall public safety through the joint implementation of the anti-overloading law for a safer, smoother, and stronger infrastructure,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
The tollway company has been enforcing the anti-overloading provision stated in Republic Act No. 8794 which entails both axle and gross vehicle weight limits. The said law cites that a penalty shall be imposed on vehicles that exceed the permissible single axle load of 13.5 metric tons and/or go beyond the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight.
NLEX has been briefing several LGUs in Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Tarlac on the procedures that patrol crews and traffic marshals observe in implementing the said anti-overloading program and provided updates on the recent developments on the Candaba Viaduct.
The southbound portion of the five-kilometer Candaba Viaduct, a vital link between Pampanga and Bulacan, is currently undergoing safety repairs. Stringent measures are also being enforced as engineering consultant AMH Philippines recommended that trucks using the southbound viaduct must not exceed a gross vehicle weight of 33 tons to preserve the structure while the repairs are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the safety and security of expressway motorists and host communities are set to further improve as the Municipality of Dinalupihan in Bataan recently passed an ordinance that would help avert potential accidents caused by stoning incidents and other prohibited acts within its jurisdiction. The City of Meycauayan in Bulacan has also lined up the same ordinance for passage.
Both LGUs recognized the adverse effects of the said activities, which are usually committed by minors. They were further encouraged to issue a legislation following the orientation on the integrated care management protocol (ICMP) that equipped them to better handle cases involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
Aside from the City of Meycauayan and Municipality of Dinalupihan, the Municipalities of Floridablanca, Pampanga and Hermosa, Bataan and the City of Mabalacat in Pampanga also approved an anti-stoning ordinance to uphold road safety along NLEX-SCTEX.
“We thank our LGU partners for passing the ordinance that supports our commitment to the safety of our motorists and our host communities. We expect to continue working harmoniously for the benefit of the public,” said Bautista.
Through the years, the company has always been on the lookout on the needs of communities and established partnerships with various stakeholders as it pursues road safety and efficient infrastructure improvements.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).