DPWH regional directors told: Run after overloaded trucks
The regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been ordered to run after overloaded trucks and have them unloaded of excess weight.
Public Works Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said the non-compliance of the Anti-Overloading Law has led to the rapid deterioration of the road network resulting in repeated repair work.
Ebdane said the investment in roads and bridges is substantial every year and DPWH is tasked with maintenance of roads and bridges.
The Anti-Overloading Law mandates maximum weights for all trucks and commercial vehicles to preserve roads and bridges network.
Ebdane said they are implementing concrete measures to address the problem of overloading by acting to provide extra trucks and weight bridge areas to transfer extra weight from overloaded trucks.
He said that while the Law provides for monitoring, the penalty of paying a fine does not stop the violator from continuing to use the road, which is not the intention of the Law.
The regional offices were asked to come up with preventive measures on the ground to ensure that violators not only pay the penalty, but that overloaded trucks that are apprehended do not continue their journey without unloading the excess weight.
Ebdane said the local offices are supposed to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office in implementing the preventive measures. (ESS)