SC to favor bus terminal scheme – MMDA chief

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino yesterday expressed confidence that the Supreme Court (SC) will decide in favor of the government’s provincial bus terminal scheme.

Last Monday, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and stop national government agencies and the MMDA from preventing the entry of passenger buses from the Bicol region into Metro Manila and restricting them to a common terminal in Muntinlupa City.

The MMDA and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board inaugurated on Aug. 27 the South Interim Provincial Terminal, a common terminal at the South Station complex in Alabang for all buses coming from Bicol and Southern Tagalog provinces.

Tolentino said under the Public Service Act, government projects are not covered by TROs, but he welcomed Salceda’s petition, saying it would broaden jurisprudence on the definition of  “public convenience.”

“So I look forward to that day when we will be asked by the SC to reply but historically, when we were likewise attempted to be TRO’d when we opened the Southwest Interim Provincial terminal, the High Court did not lift a finger on several petitions filed,” he said in a statement.

Tolentino also did not discount the possibility of Salceda having been misinformed – the provincial buses being banned from entering Metro Manila are colorum and out-of-line ones.

“I think the facts sway positively in favor of the government because it is providing convenience to those coming from the Bicol region, to board a legitimate bus with a franchise ending in a recognized terminal,” he said. Tolentino added that franchised buses would not be stopped under the scheme.

In his petition, Salceda said the bus scheme discriminated against ordinary rural folk who take the bus such as students, traders and those with relatives in Metro Manila.