Owner of dismantled bus sheds slams MMDA

MANILA, Philippines - The owner of six bus waiting sheds dismantled last week by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) denied yesterday the agency’s allegation that the structures were “illegally built.”

Lawyer Linda Jimeno, who represents High Desert International (HDI) StopOvers Inc., said in a statement that contrary to the MMDA’s claim, the six sheds were not erected two weeks prior to the MMDA’s demolition last Jan. 17.

She said the waiting sheds are legal but had to be dismantled by the MMDA as part of the agency’s implementation of the bus segregation scheme along EDSA.

“The six structures that were the subject of dismantling and as specified in the MMDA’s letter request were only rendered illegal because of MMDA’s new bus segregation scheme. They don’t have a use for those sheds anymore, to which we agree,” Jimeno said.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the six sheds reportedly confused commuters, who mistook them for legitimate bus stops. The bus segregation scheme limits Type A and B buses to bus stops marked for them. 

She clarified that the waiting sheds are covered by a contract already ruled by the court in favor of HDI. Jimeno said the MMDA was aware of this when it sent a letter to HDI on Jan. 16 informing it of the demolition.

According to Jimeno, the MMDA sent a letter to HDI general manager Darmo Castillo. The MMDA advised HDI to remove the sheds soon or the agency would undertake the demolition at the company’s expense.

Jimeno said the MMDA should have given HDI enough time to dismantle the said structures. She said the letter was received on Jan. 16 at 5:14 p.m. The MMDA started the demolition on Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.

“HDI doesn’t subscribe to such activities (dismantling) during day time because of the traffic it will cause. The dismantling was done with full media coverage, which put the company in a bad light,” she said.

Jimeno said HDI, which has been constructing and maintaining public transport shelters since 1992, is willing to work with MMDA to avoid any miscommunication in the future.