MMDA shuts down 9 non-compliant bus terminals

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday ordered nine bus terminals on EDSA to shut down operations for their failure to comply with regulations.

In a report by Susan Enriquez on "24 Oras," personnel of the MMDA and Quezon City's Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) made the buses leave, then put up closure notices and rope blockades in each terminal.

Task Force BPLO Chief Rosendo Franco said the terminals have not obtained clearances and other requirements they need to continue their operations.

"They were notified about their discrepancies, kaya lang binabale-wala nga nila," he said.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim added that the bus companies were long given advisories to comply with the guidelines.

"Siguro hindi nila sineseryoso 'yung otoridad, na akala nila na ganoon-ganoon nalang kahit binabale-wala nila yung mga requirements ay pwede silang magpatuloy na mag-operate," Lim said on the report.

"So this time talagang pinapakita natin na seryoso tayo," he added.

Bus operators who had their permits revoked as of Thursday are as follows:

• ES Transport Inc.
• Bataan Transit
• First North Luzon Transit
• Golden Bee
• Five Star Bus Co.
• Pangasinan Bus Company
• Cisco Incorporated
• Philtranco Bus
• Jac Liner

One of the companies, First North Luzon Transit, attempted to violate the order right away, taking down the MMDA's blockades and driving 13 buses into the terminal.

An angered Lim ordered the buses impounded immediately.

"Lahat ng buses na 'yan, wala nang palalabasin, ii-impound 'yung mga buses na 'yan, dadalhin lahat sa Tumana," referring to the MMDA's impounding area in Marikina.

"Hindi niyo sinusunod ang utos ng city hall," he told the bus operators.

By Thursday evening, authorities had the 13 First North Luzon buses impounded and all bus firm employees responsible for the violation held in custody.

Lim said issuing the closure orders brings the MMDA a "step closer" to ridding EDSA of provincial bus terminals, the report added.

A commuter headed for Bicol told GMA News that she was taken by surprise.

"Na-delay yung biyahe namin, kailangan kong makarating ng Bicol, eh pano niyan...hindi po namin alam," she complained.

Enriquez noted that erring terminals could resume operations once they complete their requirements. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News