MMDA temporarily hits brakes on provincial bus ban dry run

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has temporarily suspended the dry run of the provincial bus ban along EDSA.

The dry run is temporarily halted pending the meeting among MMDA, Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in a release. 

“We will continue with the dry run once the guidelines and implementing rules have been ironed out by the three agencies involved,” he said.

Garcia added the agency does not want the policy to be politicized because of the upcoming midterm elections.

While the dry run of the bus ban has been implemented, the strict enforcement of the no loading and unloading along EDSA for provincial buses remain in effect.

The provincial bus ban is a result of the Metro Manila Council Regulation 19-002 revoking the business permits of all provincial public utility bus terminals and operators along the metro’s main thoroughfare.

Last week, Ako Bicol party-list filed a petition before the Supreme Court last week to halt the implementation of the provincial bus ban along EDSA, noting that the regulation is “very injurious to poor rural people in terms of additional inconvenience, additional fare, additional time to destination and double loading.” — Gaea Katreena Cabico