MMDA: Edsa’s provincial bus ban to start August; violators face sanction
MANILA, Philippines — The provincial bus ban along Edsa will finally push through next month following the effectivity of a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) memorandum amending the routes of these buses.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday that the ban will be implemented starting August as long as there is no temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop it.
“Tuloy ‘yan. Wala namang TRO eh. As long as the court hindi sinasabi sa amin na itigil ‘yan, tuluy tuloy lang ‘yung plano namin. Wala namang pumipigil,” MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in an interview.
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2019-031, which was published July 17 and effective August 2, all routes of the provincial buses coming from the north and south with terminals along Edsa will end at the interim terminals in Valenzuela and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
READ: LTFRB amends routes for provincial buses with terminals along Edsa
Garcia said the agency will implement a dry run of the bus ban a week after the effectivity of the LTFRB policy and it will start to impose penalties against the violators.
“Kung August 2 ang effectvity nung MC, so maybe the week after noon, mag-e-enforce kami pero dry run lang pero may huli,” he said.
“Alam naman natin ‘yung mga matitigas na ulong kababayan natin, kapag walang enforcement, walang sumusunod,” he added.
For the closure of provincial bus terminals along Edsa, the MMDA will start sending letters next week to Metro Manila mayors to cancel the business permits of the provincial bus terminals.
“Isasara natin ‘yan [provincial bus terminals] kapag sumulat na kami sa mga local government units. We’re planning to do it maybe by next week,” Garcia said.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said she agrees with the closure of the provincial bus terminals along Edsa.
“Oo naman para lalong maayos at mas maganda para sa lahat ng mga mamamayan natin sa lungsod ng Pasay,” she said in an interview when asked if she agrees with the bus terminals closure. /jpv
