Tax woes won’t affect bus hub operation – MMDA

MANILA, Philippines - The operation of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Southwest Interim Bus Terminal will not be affected if the Parañaque City government takes over the Uniwide Coastal Mall building after its owners failed to pay P500 million in taxes, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

He clarified that the lease agreement entered into by the MMDA for the bus terminal only covers the mall parking lot, not the mall building, which is the subject of the unpaid building improvement taxes.

“We would appreciate it more if the mall building is not there as there will be more room for buses and commuters to move around,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino also said the integrated bus terminal is only temporary and a permanent bus terminal would be made operational within the next six months. Tolentino said it would take the Parañaque City government years to take possession of the Uniwide Coastal Mall.

The MMDA had earlier announced that it will put up additional improvements and amenities in the terminal to make it more acceptable to bus commuters from Cavite and Batangas.

Improvements

Among the improvements and adjustments to be completed and implemented at the terminal next week are: a covered walkway from the Roxas Boulevard/Coastal Road footbridge to the terminal, a covered walkway from the terminal to the adjacent city bus terminal, a taxi bay at the terminal exit along MIA Road, and widening of the terminal’s MIA Road exit towards the Coastal Road to serve as exclusive lane for Cavite-bound buses.

In addition, the MMDA will also install exhaust fans, drinking fountains and additional loading and unloading bays.

Tolentino also said the MMDA is fastracking the construction of Terminal 2 near the staging area for buses plying Aguinaldo Highway. The MMDA will also be making a separate dispatch system for air-conditioned and ordinary buses, he said.

“For faster turnaround of buses at the terminal, bus drivers will now be required to undergo fingerprint scanning only once per day, instead of every trip,” he said.

Tolentino also said the fingerprint scanning will address the long queues at the terminal’s dispatch office where bus drivers have to secure a dispatch slip.

Tolentino also said he wants the bus drivers and conductors to be self-sustaining to earn extra income. He encouraged transport cooperatives to put up canteens or food stalls at the terminal for free.