Suspension of enforcement of the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (GVW) for trucks and trailers with a total of 18 and 22 wheels has been extended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTR).
In a joint advisory, the DPWH and DOTR moved its previous deadline to December 31, 2018, giving haulers and truckers another ample time to acquire additional transport equipment to conform with the latest GVW.
The suspension covers Code 12-2 and 12-3 which involves truck, semi-trailer with 3-axles at motor vehicle and 2 axles at trailer for a total of 18 wheels and truck semi-trailer with 3 axles at motor vehicle and 3-axles at trailer summing up 22 wheels.
Other truck/trailer codes are required to observe the current maximum allowable GVW under the anti-overloading policy.
“We are expecting full compliance from Codes 12-2 and 12-3 truck/trailer owners on upgrading their units to have maximum allowable GVW of 41,500 and 42,000 kilograms respectively before January 1, 2019,” said DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar.
Secretary Villar reiterated the importance of complying with the policy since early damage and deterioration to road pavement and occurrence of accidents are attributed to overloaded vehicles.
Under Republic Act 8794 entitled “An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicle and for Other Purposes”, overloaded trucks will be fined with 25% of the amount of their motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC) applicable to the vehicle at the time of infringement.