Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
5th District, Batangas 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING TRUCK LANES IN ALL MAJOR 
THOROUGHFARES 
IN 
METRO 
MANILA 
AND 
HIGHLY 
URBANIZED CITIES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Traffic situation in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila and highly 
urbanized cities, has worsened over the years. Travel time for commuters has become 
longer and billions of pesos are lost due to horrendous traffic congestion. In fact, based 
on a 2014 report by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Philippines is 
losing 2.4 billion pesos per day in potential income as a result of the country’s traffic 
problems. 
In addressing the country’s traffic problems, the government had to turn to 
traditional ways and creative ideas to ease traffic and, at the same time, prevent road 
accidents. The State, through concerned government agencies, in promoting the general 
welfare of the people, thereby adopted the “Truck-Only Lane” policy to ease traffic and 
prevent road accidents in select thoroughfares. Initial results would show that the 
“Truck-Only Lane” policy adopted by the concerned agencies is deemed effective, 
specifically along C-5 and Katipunan. The strict implementation of the policy has 
greatly improved the flow of vehicles in the area. Travel time was also reduced by 22% 
even during rush hour. It is for this reason that the implementation of the said policy 
has been extended and applied to other major roads in Metro Manila such as 
Congressional Road, Mindanao Avenue, and Road 10. 
It is, therefore, high time to institutionalize and adopt this policy especially in 
highly congested areas to ease traffic and improve the flow of vehicles in all of Metro 
Manila and highly urbanized cities, including expressways. The institutionalization of 
this policy sends a strong message that the government is serious in addressing the 
nation’s worsening traffic congestion.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
July 1, 2022 
12:25 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
5th District, Batangas 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING TRUCK LANES IN ALL MAJOR 
THOROUGHFARES 
IN 
METRO 
MANILA 
AND 
HIGHLY 
URBANIZED CITIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Coverage. – This Act shall cover cargo trucks and heavy vehicles 
having a gross capacity weight of more than 4,500 kilograms traversing in Metro 
Manila and highly urbanized cities. 
SECTION 2. Designation of Truck Lanes. – (a) Whenever the Department of 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (iACT) 
composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metro Manila Development 
Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), 
Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and 
Regulatory Board (LTFRB), or local authority with respect to highways under their 
respective jurisdiction determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic 
investigation that the designation of a truck lane or lanes would facilitate the safe and 
orderly movement of traffic, the iACT or local authority may designate a specific lane 
or lanes for the travel of cargo trucks or heavy vehicles and shall erect signs at 
reasonable intervals giving notice thereof, Provided that identification and designation 
of truck routes shall be a condition sine qua non prior to the designation of truck lanes. 
(b) Any cargo truck and heavy vehicle shall be driven in the lane or lanes designated
pursuant to subdivision (a) whenever signs have been erected giving notice of that
designation.
SECTION 3. Right-Hand Lane for Traffic. – Except as otherwise provided in this 
Act, when a specific lane or lanes have not been so designated, any of those vehicles 
shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right 
edge or curb. If, however, a specific lane or lanes have not been designated on a divided 
highway having four or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, any of 
those vehicles may also be driven in the lane to the immediate left of that right-hand 
lane, unless otherwise prohibited by existing traffic code or rules.  
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SECTION 4. Overtaking. – When overtaking and passing another vehicle 
proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane 
to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic. 
 
This section does not apply to a driver who is preparing for a left- or right-hand 
turn or who is entering into or exiting from a highway or to a driver who must 
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his or her 
intended route. 
 
SECTION 5. Penalties for Violation. – The following penalties shall be imposed 
upon the driver of a cargo truck or heavy vehicle who fails to observe the truck lanes 
and/or routes designated: 
 
For the first offense, the driver of the cargo truck or heavy vehicle shall pay the fine of 
two thousand (2,000) pesos. 
 
For the second offense, the driver of the cargo truck or heavy vehicle shall pay the fine 
of five thousand (5,000) pesos. 
 
For the third offense, the driver of the cargo truck or heavy vehicle shall pay the fine in 
the amount of ten thousand (10,000) pesos and a corresponding suspension of operation 
for 30 days shall be imposed upon the operator or owner of the cargo truck or heavy 
vehicle. The cancellation of its franchise and/or vehicle registration shall further be 
recommended. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The heads of the DPWH and 
the iACT shall jointly, by thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate 
rules and regulations to implement and carry out the intent, objectives, purposes and 
provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.   
 
 
Approved,