Implementation of daytime truck ban in Manila met with protest

Tension gripped Road 10 in Tondo, Manila, on Monday morning when truckers met with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to protest the implementation of the daytime truck ban.

Teddy Gervacio, president of the Integrated North Harbor Truckers Association, was among the truckers who tried to stop the towing of the trucks in the area, where Estrada, garbed in camouflage uniform, personally was supervising the implementation of the truck ban ordinance.

"Nandito kami para iparating 'yung aming hinaing at para makiusap na isuspinde muna 'yung pagpapatupad ng batas dahil alam na namin 'yung magiging resulta," Gervacio said.

As he was being held by police officers, Gervacio said it was the first time he talked to Estrada.

Estrada, however, said that the law went through public hearing.

In response to Gervacio's repeated plea not to have the truck towed, Estrada said, "Pagkatapos n'yong 'di sundin ang batas saka kayo makikiusap? Ipakita muna natin na ipatupad 'yung batas bago tayo mag-usap."

The truck was eventually towed away from Road 10.

The daytime truck ban in Manila is implemented from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Offenders will face a fine of P5,000, plus the towing of their trucks. – Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News