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Few truckers take advantage of Last Mile routes to ease port congestion... Why?


Despite the Last Mile Trucking Route Scheme which opened more lanes for cargo trucks to use while the daytime truck ban is on in Manila, few truckers actually took advantage of this window of opportunity to ply their trade on Tuesday.
 
However, it cannot be construed that the Last Mile scheme was a failure, an official of a truckers' group told GMA News Online. 
 
The Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion opened 20 lanes under the scheme in Metro Manila starting Monday to speed up the flow of shipments from the ports of Manila as part of measures to alleviate the cargo congestion plaguing the South Harbor and the Manila International Container Port. 
 
The Last Mile scheme allows cargo trucks to skirt the daytime truck ban – imposed by the City of Manila since February – by opening up specific roads for truckers to use 24/7.
 
GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” reported that from Tuesday morning until noon, few trucks took to the special lanes under the Last Mile scheme even during rush hour.
 
In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Rina Papa, director of the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations said the situation may be ascribed to the weekly, cyclical nature of the trucking industry, particularly in Metro Manila. 
 
The fewer number of trucks plying the routes Mondays and Tuesdays is a common trend and should not be associated with the Last Mile scheme.
 
“To be fair, we cannot say right away na,  'Ay, hindi pala effective itong Last Mile route scheme...' Bihira talaga magbiyahe ang mga truck kapag Monday and Tuesday, because these are usually the days when brokers are processing papers with the BOC (Bureau of Customs),” Papa said.
 
“Hindi naman kami puwede maglabas ng cargo from the port kung walang clearance ng BOC,” she added.
 
The current truck ban prohibits trucks in the streets of Manila from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., except during the "window hours" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Balitanghali reported that fewer trucks took the recently opened routes even during the window hours.
 
So far, about 700 trucks have registered under the last mile scheme – which is in place from September 8 to 21 as part of measures to solve the ports congestion in Manila.
 
Under the scheme, trucks with “Last Mile route stickers” may pass through various lanes during the truck ban hours. Those without the stickers are confined to designated roads.
 
 
The following are the lanes all trucks, even those without a Last Msticker, may use:
 
  • From North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) – A. Bonifacio, then right to C-3, then right to 5th Street, left to 7th Avenue, left to Baltazar Street and on to Road-10 towards Port Area


  • In case of heavy traffic along NLEX, trucks can exit at Baesa Area and take the Service Road until Camachile


  • Trucks coming from Caloocan City can take the Service Road instead of traversing along NLEX


  • A counterflow lane in Camachile can be used before exiting Cloverleaf Street on EDSA.
 
  • Southbound trucks from Port Area – pass along A. Bonifacio Drive to Roxas Boulevard toward Cavitex. Or right to President Quirino Avenue, then right to South Super Highway toward South Luzon Expressway.
 
Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion designated the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Capital Region Police Office to oversee the flow of traffic along the newly opened lanes, Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said. – VS, GMA News
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