MMDA eyes lawsuit over bus hub strike

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will file charges against bus operators who reportedly went on strike at the Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT) at the Coastal Mall in Parañaque City, an official said yesterday.

According to the MMDA, about 20 percent of bus drivers from Cavite staged a strike at about 7 a.m. The strike ended at around 11 a.m.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino identified the Erjohn and Don Aldrin bus firms as among those whose drivers were involved in the strike. 

The firms’ buses did not arrive at the terminal from Cavite, stranding many passengers. Tolentino said the MMDA had to deploy its own bus and three trucks and three Army trucks to assist stranded passengers.

According to Tolentino, it was unfortunate that several “misguided” bus operators have used the strike to protest the operation of the terminal.

“We have received reports that several protesting bus drivers and operators have been blocking buses at Imus and Bacoor bound for the terminal early this morning,” he added.

According to the MMDA, the striking bus operators risk having their franchise to operate revoked should the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board find them guilty of the complaints of refusal to convey passenger and abandonment of route, which the MMDA will file.

For his part, lawyer Ferdinand Wakay, who represents the Cavite bus companies that use the terminal, denied the MMDA’s allegation that his clients went on strike yesterday morning.

Wakay said some of the buses were only delayed in arriving at the SWIPT after being trapped in traffic jams in Tanza and Dasmariñas towns, where fiestas were being held.

“ The MMDA really does not know what is the true situation at the terminal,” he said.