MMDA not yielding on
‘Agaw Manibela’ scheme

AMID criticism from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the transport sector, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday refused to budge on its "Oplan Agaw Manibela" campaign against bus drivers who overstay the allotted time in picking up and unloading passengers at designated points in EDSA.

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando insisted that they have done nothing illegal and even challenged his detractors to sue him if they think the agency has violated their rights in enforcing the campaign. "To those who are protesting the policy, they are free to bring their case to the court and we will answer their concerns in the proper forum," Fernando said, adding that the campaign which began last week will continue.

The scheme involves solving traffic congestion in the 24-kilometer long EDSA by impounding public vehicles that stay in designated loading and unloading zones beyond the 30-second limit.

On Monday, CHR chairperson Leila de Lima said that while the MMDA’s intention to decongest the metropolis is laudable, the policy might result to human rights violation as well as compromise the safety of women, children, the elderly and the disabled who would be obliged to get on or off buses within 30 seconds.

De Lima said the scheme also deprives bus owners and operators of their property without due process, adding that the project could even cause more congestion when passengers are unloaded from impounded buses, gather around the bus conductor for fare refunds, and swell the number of commuters on the streets.

Earlier, Claire de la Fuente, president of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association, protested that most of the transport groups plying EDSA were not informed of the new rule and they were surprised when the agency started forcing drivers out of their buses for violating the 30-second rule. She claimed the program was another MMDA gimmick to gain media mileage and not the solution to traffic problems in the metropolis.

But Fernando maintained that these concerns are misplaced and the agency had considered both traffic problems and the safety of passengers before the scheme was implemented. He said his men has never used force on bus drivers and only take over the impounded bus after passengers have had their fares refunded. He also said the scheme was publicized in the media days before its implementation.

So far, 40 buses have already been impounded under the scheme. – Ashzel Hachero