LIVE: Senate hearing into EDSA provincial bus ban

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel is set to resume its public hearing into the controversial provincial bus ban on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue.

The Senate Public Services committee, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, will lead the second Senate hearing along with the Senate committees on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Finance.

The Metro Manila Development Authority’s ban prohibits provincial buses from loading and unloading along EDSA from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ban coincides with a move to transfer terminals to Valenzuela City.

The dry run of this ban coincided with the stricter implementation of the yellow lane policy which only allows buses on the two outermost yellow lanes on EDSA, causing gridlock on the capital's main thoroughfare.

This prompted the conduct of hearings.

The last hearing was held August 13, when senators grilled MMDA officials and traffic agencies and sought an explanation for the sudden traffic jam.

The senators also seek to discuss the following proposed measures to alleviate Metro Manila traffic.

• S. No. 213 - Special Emergency Powers Act
• P.S. Res. No. 81 - Comprehensive Traffic Program of the Government

Watch the Senate inquiry LIVE which started at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019