By Aerol John Pateña/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will strictly implement the provincial bus ban along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) and other major roads in Metro Manila, starting April 22, an official said Tuesday.
“Provincial buses must only use their designated terminals in picking up and dropping off passengers”, said MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia in a press briefing.
Violators will be fined PHP500 for illegal loading and unloading.
Meanwhile, the MMDA is also set to conduct its dry run for the closure of bus terminals along Edsa after the Holy Week.
Bus operators will be obliged to use the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and the interim bus terminals in Valenzuela City and Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The agency will coordinate with the local government units of Pasay City and Quezon City, which have jurisdiction over the bus terminals along Edsa.
“We will write all concerned local government units for the eventual closure of the terminals along Edsa,” Garcia said.
The Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body, issued a regulation last March, prohibiting the issuance of business permits to all public utility bus terminals and operators and other public utility vehicles along Edsa.
MMDA is eyeing to remove all 47 bus terminals along Edsa by June.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website
