PNP eyes talks with DOTr, MMDA for Edsa busway exemption
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing talks with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to discuss the possibility of the police using the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) busway during emergencies.
“Hinihiling niya (PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil) na makikipag-usap ang PNP at DOTr para pag-usapan na baka sakali magkaroon ng leeway yung mga emergency unit na nagre-responde upang mapagbigyan ng paggamit as long as mayroong mga uniformed personnel at official yung kanilang paggamit ng bus lane,” Col. Randulf Tuaño said.
(He is requesting that the PNP and the DOTr talk to possibly give leeway for the emergency units that are responding so that they’re allowed to use the busway as long as there are uniformed personnel and their use of the bus lane is official.)
When asked if prior coordination was required to allow busway usage, Tuaño said, “Kung emergency nga, palagay ko wala nang panahon para magkaroon ng prior coordination para magamit yung bus lane. Ang importante dito mapag-usapan maigi ng DOTr, ng PNP at ng MMDA kung sino-sino ba yung ma-exempt sa paggamit ng bus lane.”
(If it’s an emergency, I think there’s no longer time for there to be prior coordination to use the bus lane. What’s important here is for the DOTr, the PNP, and the MMDA to talk about who will be exempted from using the bus lane.)
READ: PNP: Convoy caught using Edsa busway carrying ‘senior officers’
The DOTr previously said the Edsa busway was limited to the use of public utility buses, emergency vehicles and clearly-marked government vehicles.
“Since 24 hours ang trabaho ng pulis at kung ito ay emergency, baka sakali mapagbigyang gumamit ng bus lane,” Tuaño said.
(Since police work is 24 hours and if this is an emergency, perhaps, we could be allowed to use the bus lane.)
READ: PNP chief refuses to name convoy members who used Edsa bus lane
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo previously said the convoy stopped on Tuesday evening was carrying “senior officers,” whose presence was required in Camp Crame due to an “urgent” and “ongoing security operation.”
Both Fajardo and Marbil refused to disclose the identities of the officers in the convoy, citing security reasons after the license plates of the vehicles in the convoy were reportedly revealed.
