Press Release
September 8, 2019

HEARING ON PROVINCIAL BUS BAN RESUMES SEPT. 10--POE

The Senate committee on public services chaired by Senator Grace Poe will resume the public hearing on the proposal to ban provincial buses along EDSA in a bid to find solutions to Metro Manila's traffic mess.

The hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Senate Session Hall.

Expected to attend are Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Danilo Lim and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chair Martin Delgra III.

"The traffic in the country is a situation that requires all hands on deck. We need all the help we can get," Poe said.

Leaders of transport groups and private operators will also be present.

Poe reminded the MMDA and the DOTr of the committee's request from the August 13 hearing to submit a transport master plan for short-, medium- and long-term program that the agencies intend to implement to ease the gridlock.

Poe had said the committee would review the traffic management powers of the MMDA to see if they have the authority to implement policies such as the bus ban. She added that Congress will also consider giving it expanded powers to improve the mega-Manila areas.

"Araw-araw na nagtitiis ang ating mga kababayan sa kalsada. Huwag naman sanang dumating ang araw na mas maraming oras pa tayong nasa kalye kaysa sa trabaho o pamilya. 'Pag umulan nga lang, minsan halos abutan na tayo ng umaga sa daan. Kulang na lang tumira tayo sa kalye," Poe said.

"Lahat tayo ay sabik na sabik na makakita ng solusyon sa problemang ito. Kailangan tamang plano at tamang direksyon ang gagawin natin," she said.

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