By Rachel Magday
In a decisive move to address the persistent issue of overloaded vehicles, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Nueva Vizcaya, chaired by Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, has passed a resolution seeking co-management of the weigh bridge in Barangay Calitlitan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.
The resolution, addressed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and endorsed to the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council was approved during the PDC meeting on December 19.
The initiative aims to ensure the continuous operation of the weigh bridge and to strengthen the enforcement of Republic Act 8794, which imposes a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) on all vehicle owners.
Governor Gambito noted that the current penalties for violations are relatively low, making it easy for truckers to disregard the law. He emphasized the importance of local government involvement in resolving these issues, stating, “It’s not feasible to rely solely on the national government to resolve local issues because they are often too preoccupied with numerous other responsibilities. We need to take initiative at the local level to address these problems effectively.”
Data provided by the DPWH reveals that an alarming 98.77% of trucks weighed at the facility between July and December 2022 were overloaded. Out of 13,963 trucks assessed, 13,791 exceeded the legal weight limits.
This statistic highlights the ineffectiveness of current penalties as a deterrent against overloading. Currently, penalized vehicles are allowed to continue to their destinations without unloading excess cargo, which accelerates the deterioration of national roads and bridges and requires additional maintenance funds.
Moreover, overloaded trucks are frequently involved in road accidents, contributing to traffic congestion and posing significant safety risks to other road users.
Governor Gambito criticized the current enforcement practices, particularly the reluctance to unload excess cargo due to a lack of storage facilities.
He stated, “The excuse that there are no warehouses to secure unloaded cargos is unacceptable. Finding storage solutions is the responsibility of truck owners, not the authorities.” He further emphasized that allowing overloaded trucks to continue their travels makes them principal violators of the law, undermining efforts to enforce regulations effectively.
Part of the co-management strategy includes allocating funds for the maintenance of the weigh bridge. This financial commitment is essential to ensure the facility remains operational and effective in monitoring and regulating vehicle weights.
The governor called for stronger enforcement of the law to ensure that everyone follows it and to prevent future violations. By working together with national regulations, Gov Gambito hopes to create a good example of effective local governance and road maintenance, leading to safer roads for all motorists.
