MMDA execs disagree on EDSA bus ban

MANILA, Philippines — Is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ready to implement the ban on provincial buses along EDSA next month? 

Officials of the MMDA yesterday gave conflicting statements on whether to push through with the EDSA bus ban by June or have it deferred to a later date.

Celine Pialago, spokesperson for the MMDA, said they have yet to set a specific timeline for implementing the policy.

The MMDA previously said it targets to enforce the provincial bus ban next month.

Pialago said the ban on provincial buses along EDSA is not final until “we get the right formula for it.”

“If it is not feasible, it could be moved to a later date,” she said in an interview. 

MMDA traffic chief Bong Nebrija did not agree with Pialago, saying the bus ban will be enforced by June despite the petition filed by a transport group before the Supreme Court, seeking to stop the policy.

“Everything is on the right track. The MMDA is ready for this. The policy will push through as planned,” Nebrija told reporters.

The MMDA officials also contradicted each other on getting the opinion of the riding public about the provincial bus ban. 

Pialago said the MMDA would conduct public consultations before implementing the policy.

 “We will get the sentiments of the commuters,” she said. 

Nebrija, however, said a stakeholders’ meeting with the operators of provincial buses and transportation officials would be held instead of public consultations.

He said they would also hold a dialogue with officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which will draft guidelines for fare matrix and franchise routes of the provincial buses.

The MMDA had asked Metro Manila mayors to cancel the business permits issued to bus terminals along EDSA.

The dry run for the provincial bus ban remains suspended.