With the signing today of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the provincial government of Pampanga and other concerned agencies and groups, the implementation of Republic Act 9784, or the Anti-Overloading Act, is expected to be fully implemented in the province.
This was learned from Arthur Punsalan, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), who said that all stakeholders have come together to “enforce as far as practicable the provisions of RA 8794” by installing additional weighing stations in the province.
Vice Governor Joseller Guiao was designated by Governor Lilia G. Pineda to sign for the provincial government. Other signatories to the MOA are officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Pampanga Truck Owners Association (PTOA), and the Pampanga Mayors League (PML).
Guiao thanked all the signatories to this MOA and he described the MOA signing as “makasaysayan” because “it was done in the interest of all stakeholders and for the residents of Pampanga”.
The provincial government provided the weighing scales, samples of which were shown during the signing, to be stationed at strategic areas where trucks may be monitored for compliance to the law. The province shall also operate the weighing scales and ensure that these are maintained in accordance with the standards imposed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The DPWH has the mandate of operating the weighbridges and portable weighing stations; determine and indicate in the prescribed form the actual load per axle and the total allowable gross vehicle weight; and identify the overloaded trucks and trailers.
The LTO shall deputize designated personnel that will monitor the law’s implementation and cause the apprehension and impose the penalties on overloaded vehicles.
The PNP shall enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties and maintain peace, order and public safety.
The PTOA shall strictly comply with anti-overloading law and pay the necessary weighing fee of P30 per truckload pursuant an ordinance issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Aside from the vice-governor, others present during the signing are Regional Director Oliver C. Macaspac of the LTO; PSSupt. Edgardo Tinio of the PNP; representatives of the DPWH Regional Director Antonio V. Molano and Arnold C. Liwanag of the PTOA; and Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr., vice president of the PML and an officer of the Quarry Operators of Pampanga.
Also present were Provincial Administrator Atty. Andres S. Pangilinan, Jr., Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Cecil Andin, and Board Members Ricardo Yabut and Nestor Tolentino, who all pushed for the ordinance issuance and implementation. (Eloisa P. Galang)
