By Joseph Almer Pedrajas
Senator Grace Poe has urged the government to craft a plan to accommodate commuters once bus terminals along EDSA are removed.
Senator Grace Poe
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Poe, chair of Senate Public Services Committee, lauded a recent order which will revoke business permits to all public utility bus terminals and operators along EDSA.
She cited the political of the government to carry out the order which has long been planned.
However, Poe urged the government to “think of commuters' connectivity...to take them to the terminals," which are expected to be in Valenzuela, Parañaque and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“Gusto kong malaman kung anong plano nila sa influx ng mga tao,” she told the reporters after a campaign rally in Valenzuela City on Saturday.
“Are there enough buses? Enough shuttle ?” she asked.
Poe also cited the newly-opened Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) which she said "is not even properly utilized.”
“Eh yung PITX nga di nila ginagamit ng tama eh. Yung mga provincial buses pinapapasok nila dito ,” she said.
Poe also encouraged bus operators and companies to subject their drivers to random drug tests to ensure the passengers’ safety.
“Importante talaga sa mga may ari ng bus companies, i-test nila ang kanilang mga tao,” Poe said.
“Kung maaari, magkaroon ng random drug tests dahil sa kanila nakasalalay ang buhay ng ilang daang tao,” she added.
[If possible, there should be random drug tests (to drivers) because the lives of hundreds of commuters depend on them)