MMDA inspects bus terminals

Personnel of the Philippine National Police Police-Highway Patrol Group drive along EDSA to monitor traffic conditions. Analy Labor

Bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City were inspected by joint personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) in preparation for the expected influx of passengers going home to their provinces to commemorate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Personnel from MMDA’s Health and Environmental Protection Office and I-ACT checked the compliance of bus terminals to Executive Order (EO) 26 or the nationwide smoking ban.

Among bus terminals inspected were Five Star Bus Co., Victory Liner, JAM Liner and Jac Liner.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim reminded the public of the prohibition against smoking inside bus terminals, which will be implemented strictly.

“As part of the agency’s efforts in promoting a smoke-free environment, our environmental enforcers have posted ‘No Smoking’ signages earlier within the vicinity of bus terminals in Cubao. This would serve as a reminder that EO 26 also prohibits smoking in public utility vehicles (PUV),” Lim stressed.

Aside from monitoring the compliance to the EO, authorities also checked if bus terminals adhere to the implementation of Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01, or the Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation of the Department of Transportation.

Some PUV-related violations include the refusal to render service to the public and convey a passenger to a destination; failure to display “No Smoking” signage and/or allowing personnel or a passenger to smoke inside the vehicle; overcharging/undercharging of fare; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers and operating a unit with defective parts.

Under the JAO 2014-01, first offense violators face a fine of P5,000, while for the second offense, P10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days. Third and subsequent violations will result in P15,000 fine and the cancellation of the certificate of public conveyance.