The local government of Quezon City will implement a partial truck ban on its two highways in a bid to ease the traffic congestion in the area, especially during rush hour.

Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. SP-2984 S-2020 which prohibits truck and other heavy vehicles on Visayas and Mindanao Avenues from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except every Sunday and during holidays.

Belmonte said the two highways have been commonly used by drivers of heavy vehicles that cause heavy traffic in the area.

“Naging paborito nang daanan ng truck ang mga nasabing kalsada dahil mas madali silang nakararating sa iba ibang lugar sa kamaynilaan (They have become a favorite highway for truck drivers because they give them easy and fast access to other parts of Metro Manila,” Belmonte said.

“Subalit nauuwi naman ito sa pagsisikip ng daloy ng trapiko, lalo na tuwing rush hour, na nakakaabala sa ibang mga motorista pati na sa commuter. Kaya nagpasya tayong magpatupad ng partial truck ban (However, we also understand they cause heavy traffic, especially during rush hour, and cause inconvenience to other motorists and the riding public. So, we decided to come up with the partial truck ban),” she added.

Covered by the ban, according to the measure, are trucks with six or more wheels, regardless of purpose, nature or use, and other vehicles classified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as heavy vehicles, such as buses.

Meanwhile, those exempted are fire trucks, garbage/hauling/dump truck, police/military truck or bus, and other similar motor vehicles owned by or under contract with the government for rendering public service works.

Violators will be fined P5,000 or imprisonment of one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

The Department of Public Order and Safety, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Department, and members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority are given responsibility to enforce the ordinance.