A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Wednesday proposed that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) be tasked to improve bus routes in the city as an alternative to the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) suspended Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project.
Marikina Rep. Bayani F. Fernando, vice-chair of the committee on Metro Manila Development and a former MMDA chairman, put forward a proposal to order the agency to continue the BRT projects he previously initiated along the EDSA and España-Quezon Avenue Line with variations.
“I move that we put to task the MMDA… to continue the organized bus route, improve it and (provide) with a corresponding financial support that they may need to perfect the system,” Mr. Fernando said.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, the committee chair, requested the DoTr to submit a copy of the evaluation it used as basis to withdraw the BRT project.
“When you went to Congress last time, you asked (for) this project, to have it funded. You justified it and we were convinced. That’s why, it is part of the GAA (General Appropriations Act). Now you have asked us to shelve it for a reason we still do not know,” Mr. Castelo said.
The committee proposed that the funds provided to the DoTr be transferred to the MMDA.
Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Z. Tan said this fund transfer will have to undergo standard procedure.
The allotted budget for the construction of the BRT EDSA line was P37.76 billion, and P5.47 billion for the BRT España-Quezon Avenue Line. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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