QC dad wants ban on bus terminals along EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City councilor has filed a proposed ordinance that will prohibit the construction and mandate the phase out of bus terminals along portions of EDSA within the jurisdiction of the city.

Sixth district councilor Melencio Castelo said appropriate actions should be taken and implemented in order to ease the “horrendous traffic congestion” along one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

He said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is already setting up bus terminals in the outskirts of south and north of Metro Manila, which are expected to ease the traffic flow in major roads, especially in EDSA

“There is a need to support the MMDA in its various laudable traffic plans to solve the traffic congestion along EDSA,” said Castelo.

Once approved, both sides of EDSA inside Quezon City will be declared a “no bus terminal zone.”

“No locational clearance, special use permit and/or building permit shall be issued for the construction and operations of any bus terminal,” read the proposal.

“All bus companies with bus terminals and/or stations along EDSA, Quezon City is hereby required to relocate and/or transfer their terminals within one year after the effectivity of this ordinance,” it added.

The proposed ordinance also said that no business permit will be issued for operations of any bus terminal after the expiration of the period of relocation.

It mandated that the city department of public order and safety, city planning and development office, building official, and licensing office to formulate the implementing rules and regulations in coordination with the MMDA.