MMDA to pursue provincial bus ban along EDSA unless SC issues order to stop

METROPOLITAN MANILA Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia said plans for the ban on provincial bus terminals along EDSA will push through unless stopped by the Supreme Court (SC). “Hangga’t walang (until there is no) court order to stop our plans, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-plano (we will continue our planning)… No one can stop this project,” Mr. Garcia said in a briefing Thursday, adding that they are working on some guidelines and policies for closing down all bus terminals along EDSA. Three petitions against the planned regulation have been filed before the SC, to which the court has ordered MMDA and other respondents to comment on. The regulation, issued in March, intend to decongest EDSA by revoking existing permits and prohibit the issuance of new ones to all terminals and operators of public utility vehicles along the main thoroughfare. It would also require provincial buses to use only the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and facilities located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Valenzuela City. — Katrina T. Mina