MMDA Hesitant with Provincial Bus Ban August 15 Implementation

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking to defer the implementation of the provincial bus ban on EDSA, which is scheduled to begin August 15 after being moved from August 1.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that the possible deferral of the new bus policy stems from concern from the Valenzuela City government saying it may not be able to accommodate all the provincial buses in Valenzuela Gateway Complex Central Integrated Terminal, despite its five-hectare size.

"Yung sa provincial bus ban sinuportahan naman tayo nagkaroon lang kami ng konting problema sa implementation baka nga di matuloy yung Aug. 15 sa Valenzuela (We have gained the support for the provincial bus ban. However, we have encountered some concerns on the implementation, so it is most likely that the implementation on Aug. 15 in Valenzuela will be delayed)," Garcia said after the regular meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.

Garcia emphasized that even with the city hitting a snag, the Valenzuela government is fully behind the new traffic policy.

"Si Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian 100 percent ang support niya. Ang problema may mga konting structure pa doon na kailangan pang gawin. Di natin ito mamadaliin (Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian is supporting us 100 percent. The problem is that there are some structures that needed to be fixed. We will not rush this)," he added.

The Valenzuela Gateway Complex Central Integrated Terminal, located on Paso de Blas Road, has been reported as having the capacity to accommodate about 298 provincial buses from Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga. It is one of three integrated bus terminals scheduled to begin operation within the year. The second one is in Parañaque, which is expected to operate beginning September, and the third one is in Sta. Rosa Laguna, which is set for a December opening.

The provincial bus ban will affect nine bus companies including Baliwag Transit, Bataan Transit Co. Inc., Five Star Bus Co. Inc., First North Luzon Transit Inc., Genesis Transport Service Inc., German Espiritu Lines Inc., Golden Bee Transport and Logistic Corp., RJ Express Inc., and Victory Liner.