MMDA to enforce bus number coding Monday, warns vs defiance

With at least 1,800 traffic enforcers on hand, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is ready to enforce a number coding scheme on passenger buses starting Monday, even as it warned of penalties against defiant bus operators. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino ordered the cancellation of day-offs of all agency traffic personnel to enforce the scheme, which starts Nov. 15. "It's all systems go on Monday. We will be issuing traffic violation tickets to offenders as we have informed bus operators regarding the re-implementation of the scheme beforehand and they all agreed. So there will be no excuse and nobody will be spared," Tolentino said in an article posted on the MMDA website. Also, the MMDA warned bus operators they could lose their franchises if they push through with a reported plan to defy the number coding scheme. "Bus operators are reminded that such actions could constitute a violation of their certificates of public convenience and other traffic laws. This may be a ground for the revocation of their franchises," it said. Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started processing special permits for other bus operators to take the place of operators planning a “strike" on Monday. LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces said his office will be open during the weekend to process and issue such permits. “Ngayong araw may opisina tayo at sa Linggo (Our offices will be open Saturday and Sunday)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. A group of provincial bus operators had reportedly threatened to stage a strike to defy the number coding scheme. Radio dzBB reported some 3,500 buses may join the “strike." Laluces also said the LTFRB will send notices to bus operators whose units take part in the strike, to have them explain why they should not be penalized for joining such action. “Pinakamabigat na penalty ay ang pag-revoke ng kanilang franchise (The heaviest penalty will be the revocation of their franchises)," he said. Tolentino said he has received reports that several provincial bus firms have threatened to defy the MMDA in the enforcement of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP). "Should they try to resist we will detain their drivers and conductors and hold their buses until 7 in the evening," he said. Advice to commuters The MMDA advised commuters not to board buses passing through Metro Manila with plate numbers ending in 1 or 2 on Monday; and 5 and 6 on Wednesday. The MMDA earlier got the green light from mayors to implement the UVVRP scheme on public utility buses (PUBs). According to Tolentino, informative signage have been installed along the major thoroughfares and the South and North Luzon Expressways (SLEX and NLEX). He said these will advise the public that the number coding on PUBs will be in effect starting November 15. "Around 13,000 PUBs, provincial and city, are expected to be covered by the scheme. More than 1,000 of these vehicles will be affected by the UVVRP scheme daily," the MMDA said. Starting Monday, traffic enforcers will be dispatched strategically on SLEX and NLEX exits to apprehend provincial buses entering Metro Manila in violation of the number coding scheme. The Philippine National Police will lend some of its buses to MMDA and will put them on standby together with its own five buses in strategic areas to accommodate and ferry passengers of violators to their destination terminals. Hundreds of personnel from the Roadways Clearing Operations Group and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group will also be deployed to assist passengers from the provinces, especially those with baggage. In anticipation of violations, MMDA will also use White Plains in Quezon City as a temporary holding area for buses whose drivers or conductors will resist apprehension. Tolentino proposed the reimplementation of number coding to PUBs as part of the agency's efforts to decongest Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other major thoroughfares. The number coding for buses will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., without window hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. After a series of consultative meetings, bus companies and operators agreed to comply with the traffic scheme, which was then approved by the MMDA's governing body, the Metro Manila Council (MMC). PUBs were originally covered by UVVRP but bus operators sought and secured an exemption from Malacañang in 2004. — LBG, GMANews.TV