MANILA, Philippines - Police have dismantled an illegal jeepney terminal in Sta. Cruz, Manila which reportedly caused traffic jams in the area, sometimes extending up to Divisoria.
Newly appointed traffic chief Superintendent Rizaldy Yap got his first marching order from Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to clear Manila streets of illegal terminals.
Illegal terminals, which are allegedly protected by barangay officials and unscrupulous policemen, are the perennial complaints of motorists and commuters for obstructing the free flow of traffic.
Yap observed that traffic clogged the streets of Banquero and Dasmariñas as the area was being used as terminal by the Pasang Masda jeepney transport group plying the Delpan route.
“Under City Ordinance 8151 these streets are off limits to parking of public utility jeepneys,” Yap told The STAR.
Traffic enforcers immediately conducted a series of clearing operations in the area and dismantled the illegal jeepney terminal.
Yap also deployed traffic personnel who shall monitor and supervise areas in the city being used as illegal terminals.
“This is just the start of our no-nonsense drive against illegal terminals to effectively and efficiently manage the worsening traffic situation in the city. More dismantling operations will follow in due time,” Yap said.
The new traffic chief is now monitoring other suspected illegal terminals in the city such as in Liwasang Bonifacio, the Divisoria area, Fajardo street and Plaza Noli in Sampaloc, the Delpan area and Pedro Gil street in Ermita.
He also vowed to look into and find solution to the perennial traffic problem along Roxas Boulevard. – Nestor Etolle