CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado ordered a crackdown on overloading trucks, trailers, buses and other motor vehicles within the province by issuing Executive Order (EO) 5 on Wednesday.
In his issuance, Alvarado said no motor vehicle shall load beyond their prescribed gross vehicle weight and no axle load shall exceed 13,500 kilograms. The governor cited the Joint Implementing Rules and Regulations issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation.
The EO is considered the strict implementation of pertinent provisions of Republic Act 8794, otherwise known as “An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle Users Charge on Owners of All Types of Motor Vehicles and for other Purposes.” The EO noted specifically the section of the law that provides for and ensuring “the adequate maintenance of national and provincial roads through sufficient funding.”
Also stated in the EO is the creation of a “Provincial Anti-Overloading Monitoring Team” to execute the provisions of the EO.
Being the provincial governor, Alvarado will be the overall chairman of the task force. Perlita A. de los Santos, chairman of the Provincial Council’s Committee on Public Works, was designated vice chairman of the task force. The EO designated as task force members the heads of the provincial Engineer’s Office, the provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the provincial command of the Philippine National Police.
The EO emphasized that the mobility and safety of the roads and other main thoroughfares must be of utmost priority, and the road infrastructure should be preserved and be in serviceable condition. It was learned that motor-vehicle ownership has exploded in recent years and the roads must maintain its good condition for motorists.