JANUARY 15, the provincial government of Pampanga commenced what it said is  “full and strict” implementation of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.

This, by force of a memorandum of agreement entered into by Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police, the Pampanga Mayors League and the Pampanga Truck Owners Association.

“We thank all the stakeholders for their full cooperation in finally implementing the anti-overloading law. We can now move ahead with efforts to improve not only quarry operations but put order in the hauling industry.”

So said Guiao, brimming with optimism.

Even more optimistic is Board Member Nestor Tolentino, chair of the sangguniang panlalawigan committee on environment and natural resources, who advanced that the “full and strict” implementation of the anti-overloading law would put a definitive end to overloaded trucks wreaking havoc on barangay and provincial roads and bridges.

Not the least of which is Colgante Bridge in Tolentino’s hometown that cracked and crashed to the river under the weight of overloaded dump trucks. 

“There would of course be penalties and sanctions based on RA 8794. This should have been implemented last year but because the agreement had to be polished, it was a bit delayed.

Nonetheless, we can now monitor overloading and maintain our roads and bridges as well as put in place the portable weighing scales Capitol has purchased. We thank all the stakeholders for their cooperation.”

So was Tolentino quoted as saying at the MOA signing.

The truckers group for its part declared: “Our position has always been to comply with the provisions of the anti-overloading law.

The Provincial Government and other implementing agencies could be rest assured we will support and cooperate in its strict implementation since we will police our own ranks.”

Yeah, right. Compliance may be their position. But open defiance is their action. Else, there would not have been any need for the MOA in the first place.

The truckers policing their own ranks?  

Yeah, like there’s no scalawag in the police force.

You want these truckers to toe the line? Hit them hardest the first time they violate RA 8794 – impound the truck, cancel their license, fine them a P1,000 for every quarter of a cubic meter of the overload.

The second time? There won’t be any second time.