"LASMAYL"
Or "last mile" project is the new program of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (popularly known as the MMDA), the country's premiere traffic organizer.
If you see this word painted in bright red right smack on a cargo truck's front head, it means it’s on a special trip for a delivery long overdue. It also means it can pass through major thoroughfares and can't be apprehended or delayed by traffic enforcers.
In an Inquirer news report, it said "LASMAYL" is another government effort to decongest the ports and undo the effects of the expanded truck ban imposed by the city government of Manila since February.
The so-called “last mile’’ project will start this Monday (Sept. 8) and run till Sept. 22.
But, it won’t be easy for the riding public.
The two-week measure is expected to worsen traffic because an estimated 3,000 trucks will be allowed to move cargo that had long piled up at the ports.
They can move cargo even during the hours covered by the truck ban not only in Manila but in other cities.
The selected trucks will be marked with stickers and the word “LASMAYL’’ so they won’t be flagged down by traffic marshals, according to the MMDA.
"LAST MILE" project not applicable to "truck ban" roads
But MMDA clarified that the “last mile” project would not be applicable on Edsa where a total truck ban is strictly observed, and also on España Boulevard (from Quezon Boulevard to Rotonda), Ortigas Avenue (from Santolan to Sta. Lucia), Katipunan Avenue (from Santolan to Commonwealth), Recto Avenue (from A. Santos to Legarda), Taft Avenue, and other roads in business districts such as Ayala in Makati City and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
These roads will still observe the existing MMDA truck ban that prohibits trucks and vehicles with a gross capacity weight of more than 4,500 kilos from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Sundays and holidays.
Meanwhile, MMDA also said that the truckers who will operate without the proper stickers or those not cleared for the trips will be fined P5,000.--Source/Photo: Inquirer