MANILA, Philippines – Almost half of the traffic violators caught using the EDSA bus lanes for public utility vehicles were government personnel, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced over the weekend.
According to a consolidated list of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic, Highway Patrol Group and MMDA, an average of 30 private vehicles pass daily along the dedicated bus lanes on EDSA, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said.
“Kalahati po dito ay mga kasamahan natin sa gobyerno ang sakay po gamit ang kanilang mga pribadong sasakyan,” Pialago said.
She said government employees using their private vehicles are not allowed to pass through the bus lanes on EDSA.
“Maaring tayo ay miyembro ng mga ilang ahensya ng gobyerno kagaya ng Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at MMDA pero kapag ang gamit po natin ay pribadong sasakyan, hindi po tayo maaaring dumaan sa EDSA busway,” Pialago said.
She said only emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars are allowed to use the portion of EDSA.
“Ang priority sa EDSA busway ay city buses at emergency vehicles na may mga wang-wang,” she said.
Pialago said other motorists might follow the lead of government employees if they pass through the EDSA bus lanes using private cars.