MANILA, Philippines — A provincial bus terminal in Quezon City was ordered closed Wednesday (06 November 2019) by the Quezon City government claiming the depot does not have the necessary permit to operate.

Ordered closed was the Baliwag Transit bus terminal which services travelers from Metro Manila to Central Luzon and Northern Luzon and vice versa.

Mayor Joy Belmonte herself led the team that served the closure order to Baliwag Transit bus depot located along North Edsa, near Cubao.

The mayor said Baliwag has violated the Quezon City Revenue Code of 1993.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia also witnessed the closure.

“They have a terminal in EDSA corner E. Rodriguez. At doon, may locational clearance sila, may special use permit (SUP) sila. Kaso, pawang expired po ‘yan. Tapos, ginamit pa nilang SUP at locational clearance, yung kabila,” Belmonte said.

For his part, Garcia said the MMDA has already been receiving complaints about the said terminal as it is causing heavy traffic at times.

“Kahit garage siya, hindi siya puwedeng gamitin because wala silang permit as garage din…may report sa amin ‘to, ang nangyari, pagparada diyan, ibababa lahat ng sakay, lahat ng taxi, UV express, nakaabang sa harap, nagko-cause ng traffic,” Garcia said.

Garcia also exhorted the owners of the bus terminal to comply with requirements so it could be allowed operation anew.

Belmonte pledge to continue implementing a crackdown against illegal transport terminal operators in QC. (Cate Pallarco/IAMIGO/CNS)