THE Metro Manila Development Authority has intensified its campaign against illegal terminals of public utility vehicles—Asian utility vans (AUV), jeeps, tricycles and buses—in Quezon City to ease traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other major thoroughfares in the city.
The latest operation was conducted in Balintawak area going to the North Luzon Expressway, Munoz corner Edsa and at the nearby Walter Mart along Dangay Street, Quezon City Circle, and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao near Puregold Supermarket.
The road clearing and anti-illegal terminal drive was conducted by members of the MMDA’s Task Force Illegal Terminal, Traffic Discipline Office, Towing and Impounding Groups, and Sidewalk Clearing Operations team in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Quezon City government.
The MMDA anti-illegal parking team also cleared road obstructions in various streets in the city covered by the Mabuhay Lane, an alternate route designated by the agency for private motorists avoiding the congested Edsa.
Last month, the MMDA conducted joint Anti-Illegal Terminal Operation with LTFRB and the Quezon City local government along National Irrigation Administration Road, Nepa Q Mart, and along Denver and Montreal Streets.
The MMDA had signed an agreement with the city government and LTFRB to eliminate all illegal terminals and other structures for public utility vehicles in Quezon City.
The memorandum of agreement signed by then MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos with Mayor Herbert Bautista and LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra to remove all illegal structures along Edsa, particularly in the area of Quezon City, is part of the government’s solution to the worsening traffic situation in the National Capital Region.
The MoA will also protect legitimate operators that incur higher operational costs compared to illegal terminals that do not pay for permits and facility upgrades.
The authorities also agreed that no new bus terminals would be established in Quezon City, especially along Edsa.
Under the agreement, the three parties were authorized to conduct inspection and impose closure order if the structures found operating without necessary permits.
Some motorists observed that illegal structures of bus, AUV and jeepney terminals, illegal operation of tricycles, sidewalk vending, extension of stores, and the loading and unloading of bus passengers to non-designated areas were the main reason why there was road congestion.
