NLEX Corporation recently expanded its weighbridge station network on June 1, 2023. These new stations are strategically placed to assist truckers entering NLEX, SCTEX, and NLEX Connector in adhering to the government's anti-overloading policy. According to NLEX, the primary objective of this initiative is to enhance motorist safety and curb the premature wear and tear of roads caused by overloaded vehicles.
The tollway company is rigorously implementing the anti-overloading regulations stipulated in Republic Act No. 8794, commonly referred to as "An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle Users Charge on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicle and for Other Purposes." According to the law, trucks, and trailers that exceed their designated gross vehicle weight will be subject to a penalty equal to twenty-five percent of the Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC). It is important to note that no individual axle load should exceed 13,500 kg.
Moving back to the new stations, truckers can find the additional weighbridge stations in SCTEX Porac, Pampanga, and Concepcion, Tarlac. In addition, the privately-owned ACB Truck Scale Services weighbridge in Dinalupihan, Bataan has been made accessible to all trucks throughout the week, from Monday to Sunday, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Truckers are required to pay a fee ranging from P400 to P600, depending on the type of truck, and this payment will be directly collected by ACB.
In addition to these, there are 12 existing weighbridge locations positioned along the entire stretch of NLEX, along with four satellite locations established through collaborations with private companies. The private stations include TAG Metal Weighbridge located on Ninoy Aquino Highway, Bgy. Sta Maria, Mabalacat, Pampanga; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Weighbridge situated in Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga; Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) Weighbridge positioned in San Bernardino Road, Subic Port District, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales; and Mega Subic Terminal Services, Inc. (MSTSI) weighbridge situated in NSD Compound, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.
NLEX is set on putting up more weighbridges along its expressways in the coming months. These upcoming weighbridges will be built in SCTEX Floridablanca and Dinalupihan, and NLEX Marilao, Mindanao, and Karuhatan. The company further stated that the presence of these weighbridge stations will contribute to the reduction of overloaded trucks plying the roads, which pose a significant hazard to motorist safety due to the impact on the driver's control over the vehicle. Aside from the safety benefits, a truck that is not overloaded is less likely to warp the roads it travels on, meaning the expressways stay smoother for longer.
