MMDA unfazed by SC petition to stop provincial bus ban

MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing through with the closure of bus terminals along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) despite the petition of Ako Bicol party-list at the Supreme Court to stop its implementation.

“That is part of the democratic process they can file a TRO [temporary restraining order] but I hope that they see the merit of the policy,” MMDA traffic head for Edsa Edison "Bong" Nebrija told reporters on Tuesday.

Nebrija said local government units in Metro Manila have committed to support the closure of the bus terminals.

“I personally believe in the wisdom of the mayors to implement this. The LGUs will be the ones that will close the terminals,” he said.

He challenged critics questioning the policy to offer alternative measures to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Earlier, Ako Bicol partylist group sought for a TRO against MMDA Regulation No. 19-002, revoking the issuance of business permits to all public utility bus terminals operating along Edsa.

Meanwhile, MMDA general manager Jose Arturo "Jojo" Garcia Jr. said the provincial bus ban has been deliberated for quite some time with bus operators before the agency decided to implement it.

“We have been planning the closure for more than a year. We had meetings with bus operators not once, not twice but more than three times. They know this,” said Garcia in a press briefing.

He said bus terminals along Edsa contribute to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

“It is true that they say that the volume of provincial buses does not contribute to traffic. What causes traffic are the terminals,” Garcia said.

MMDA is eyeing to remove all 47 bus terminals along Edsa, which will affect around 4,000 provincial buses going to and from Metro Manila. (PNA)

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