Anti-Overloading Law debate continues

Stakeholders will continue the dialogue with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the implementation of the gross vehicle weight limit provision of the Anti-Overloading Law to finalize the actual truck load restriction that will be imposed.

The DPWH postponed the implementation of the gross vehicle weight provision of the law, which would limit the total weight of trucks and cargo to just 41 tons. Once implemented, this would ban vehicles with heavier loads from plying national roads.

The provision was supposed to be implemented on May 1, but the DPWH decided to shelve this indefinitely, in light of various suggestions and appeals for further review from stakeholders.

According to the Export Development Council (EDC), one of the groups that appealed for the postponement of the implementation of the law provision, the DPWH was still in talks with the Philippine Ports Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry and other stakeholders to hammer out arrangements for the synchronization of weighing operations when the load limit is imposed.

The revised load limit for each truck and trailer type would also be discussed.

In an earlier interview, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the
DPWH was open to stakeholders’ suggestions to hike the load limit to 55-60 tons, from the 41 tons under the law.

On the maximum tonnage per axle for trucks, however, Singson said he saw no problem. The DPWH on February 1 started enforcing the maximum allowable load limit of 13.5 tons per axle for trucks.

The EDC, in a position paper submitted to the DPWH earlier in the year, warned that the full implementation of the Anti-Overloading Law could make exporters even less competitive, as lower load limits would require more trips, effectively jacking up freight expenses.

The group added that certain provisions of the Anti-Overloading Law could also cause delays in the delivery of imported raw materials, which could then disrupt production schedules. Lack of proper orientation of shippers and truckers, as well as inadequate weighing equipment, could also result in port congestion.

To prevent any of these negative possibilities from materializing, the EDC said the implementation of the law should be shelved until the DPWH has installed weigh bridges in designated weighing stations and reviewed the implementing rules of the law.