FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miiiani Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Act of 2000, Section 1 provides that: 
Section 1. Declaration ofPolicy.4 is hereby declared as the policy of the States 
to ensure the adequate maintenance of national and provincial roads through 
sufficient hnding the purpose. 
R.A. No. 8794 was enacted to protect the roads in the country by penalizing overloading. 
However, according to a report by Ms. Margaux Ortiz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer first 
posted in Inquirer.net last 13 May 2008, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. claimed 
that R.A. No. 8794 should be amended because it is not effective in protecting the roads from 
damage caused by overloading. 
Sec. Ebdane said at a press conference at the DPWH Office that the cost of maintaining 
30,000 kilometers of national roads was about P13.5 billion annually. He added that the truckers 
allege they would lose P5 billion if they adhere to the weight limit, but their continuing violation 
of the law involves P20 billion worth of damage to the road networks yearly. Noncompliance 
with the anti-overloading law has led to the rapid deterioration of the road network, resulting in 
repeated repair work. 
Sec. Ebdane further noted that the Philippines had the highest allowable axle load limit in 
the world. He said the DPWH had recommended to Congress that this be reviewed. Compared to 
the 13.5 metric ton per axle limit prescribed by the law, other countries have the following limits: 
United States, 9.1 MT/axle; United Kingdom, 11.5 MT/axle; France, 13 MT/axle; Thailand, 9.1 
MT/axle; Pakistan, 12 MT/axle, and India 9.3 MT/axle. 
This bills aims to remedy the flaws of R.A. No. 8794. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8794, ALSO KNOWN AS AN ACT IMPOSING 
MOTOR VEHICLES USER'S CHARGE ON OWNERS OF ALL TYPES OF MOTOR 
VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, SECTION 6 ON THE PENALTY FOR 
OVERLOADING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 8794, Section 6 on the penalty for overloading, is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 6. Penalty for Overloading. -An amount equivalent to twenty five percent (25%) 
of the MVUC shall be imposed on trucks and trailers for loading beyond their prescribed gross 
vehicle weight: Provided, That no axle load shall exceed [thirteen thousand five hundred 
kilograms (13,500kgs)l NINE THOUSAND FIVE " D R E D  KILOGRAMS (9,500 KGS). IN 
ADDITION TO THE PENALTY, THE VIOLATORS ARE! REQUIRED TO UNLOAD THEIR 
EXCESS WEIGHT BEFORE THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR TRIP. FAILURE TO COMPLY 
WITH THE UNLOADING REQUIREMENT IS PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT NOT 
EXCEEDING ONE (1) YEAR OR FINE NOT EXCEEDING TEN THOUSAND PESOS (Php 
1 O,OOO.OO), OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURTS. 
ANY TRUCK OPERATOR WHO VIOLATES THE OVERLOADING LIMIT THREE 
(3) OR MORE TIMES SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS 
THAN THREE (3) YEARS BUT NOT EXCEEDING FIVE (5) YEARS AND FINE OF NOT 
LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 100,000.00) BUT NOT 
EXCEEDING ONE MILLION PESOS (Php I,OOO,OOO.OO). 


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Approved, 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
/jpsO51608 
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