By Aerol John Pateña/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to file its reply to a petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC) by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda seeking to stop the implementation of the provincial bus ban along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa).
This, as MMDA Edsa traffic chief Edison “Bong” Nebrija on Tuesday said he respects the filing of the petition as part of the democratic process, adding that the agency “will wait for our copy being named as respondent in the said petition and we will let our legal team draft and file the rebuttal.”
The MMDA official said the agency will continue to conduct its public information drive on the policy.
In his petition filed before the SC last Monday, Salceda questioned MMDA Regulation No 19-002 which prohibits or revoked permits of provincial public utility bus terminals and operators along Edsa.
The lawmaker claimed that the regulation is “anti-poor” because only the provincial commuters will be affected.
He further stated that the traffic congestion in Edsa during office hours is caused by private vehicles and city public buses.
Another petition was filed by the Ako Bicol Partylist last April seeking for the SC to issue a temporary restraining order against the provincial bus ban.
MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia Jr. earlier said that the provincial bus ban has been deliberated for quite some time with bus operators before the agency decided to implement it.
According to Garcia, bus terminals along Edsa contribute to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
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.
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