MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to install designated stops for public utility vehicles (PUVs) along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
In a statement on Thursday, the MMDA said that the PUV stops are meant to keep the safety of road users.
MMDA Acting Chairman Engr. Carlo Dimayuga III and Acting General Manager Baltazar Melgar held a meeting with the local government unit representatives of Quezon City and various jeepney operators at Barangay Commonwealth Hall on Tuesday.
“There should be designated bus and jeepney stops for passengers as part of road safety. It’s about time to instill road discipline among all passenger vehicles,” Dimayuga was quoted as saying during the meeting.
“Through this, we could strategize on how the PUVs could maneuver to their designated stops. We would like to confine pedestrians to designated loading and unloading areas,” he said.
For his part, Pasang Masda President Obet Martin welcomed the plan and appreciated the acting chairman for supporting the jeepney operators sector.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Chairman Dimayuga for addressing the concern of jeepney operators. We consider it as a welcome development,” Martin said in the same statement.
Earlier, the Metro Manila Council generally agreed in principle to establish a dedicated motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue to prevent road accidents in the area.
Under the MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the exclusive bicycle lane shall be designated on the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue.
PUVs and motorcycles will be designated on the second and third lanes of the same avenue.
All other motor vehicles must use the remaining lanes on Commonwealth Avenue. –Alyssa Joy Quevedo, trainee