Bicol lawmakers oppose LTFRB bus terminal scheme

MANILA, Philippines - Bicolano lawmakers have signed a resolution calling on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to defer the implementation of a circular that bans buses from Bicol and Southern Luzon from entering Metro Manila and only allows them up to a terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The lawmakers, in House of Representatives Resolution 1445, cited that the bus terminal scheme causes undue inconvenience to commuters and was issued without any public consultation and no scientific study to back up claims that it will ease traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila.

The LTFRB started implementing its circular last Aug. 29.

Those who signed Resolution 1445 were Reps. Edcel “Grex” Lagman, Al Francis Bichara and Fernando Gonzales of Albay; Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes; Cathy Barcelona-Reyes and Elmer Panotes of Camarines Norte; Felix William Fuentebella, Salvio Fortuno and Leni Robredo of Camarines Sur; Maria Vida Bravo, Elisa “Olga” Kho and Scott Davies Lanete of Masbate; and Evelina Escudero and Deogracias Ramos Jr. of Sorsogon.

Last Monday, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda filed a petition with the Supreme Court, asking for a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the circular.

He pointed out that the ban shifts the burden of inconvenience to provincial commuters, particularly students and traders and ordinary families with relatives in Metro Manila, as they will now have to transfer to another mode of transportation and paying extra fares.