In September 1995, this Board issued Memorandum Circular No. 95-013 captioned "MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF CPC's FOR METRO MANILA BUS ROUTES TRAVERSING EDSA AND PROVINCIAL BUS ROUTES ENTERING METRO MANILA AND SUSPENSION OF PROCEEDING IN PENDING APPLICATIONS ON SAID ROUTES", a measure then deemed necessary due to the number of already franchised Metro Manila and provincial buses in Luzon on practically all primary and secondary routes and as a necessary support measure for the MMDA's traffic rationalization and improvement programs.

Subsequent to the issuance of the said circular, the MMDA requested the Board to process and resolve applications on provincial routes provided they terminated at Taguig for those coming from the South, and at Balintawak for those coming from the North

The "exception" requested by the MMDA may have contributed to the deterioration of the traffic situation in Metro Manila in the last two years.

The ban against the establishment of new and/or additional bus terminals/garages along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, particularly along EDSA, where there were already fifteen (15) provincial bus terminals/garages at the time the ban was imposed with the issuance of Memo. Circular No. 95-012 on September 29,1995 was also eroded when the MMDA allowed the establishment of a terminal in Cubao, provided that, at any given time only ten (10) buses will be garaged at said terminal, a condition somewhat difficult to monitor. Thereafter, makeshift garages sprouted along EDSA.

Given the present aggravated traffic situation which MMDA Executive Director Fianza is doing his best to address and the need for the LTFRB to support this undertaking this Board, with the prior approval of the Department of Transportation and Communications, is -

1.         reimposing the Moratorium on the acceptance, processing and resolution of all applications, including those pending, for certificates of public convenience for the operation of buses in Metro Manila and on provincial routes whether entering Metro Manila or terminating outside the periphery of the metropolis, given the fact that those issued CPCs terminating outside Metro Manila have been entering Metro Manila as far as Cubao and other points inside Metro Manila and also the difficulty of monitoring their operations to insure compliance with the terms and conditions of their franchises;

2.         strictly implementing its ban against new and/or additional bus terminals/garages along major thoroughfares, particularly along EDSA from Letre (Malabon) to Baclaran, with the assistance of the Land Transportation Office and the Metro Manila Development Authority.

The exceptions already provided for in Memorandum Circular No. 95-013, including franchise applications with routes within the regions only, except the National Capital Region, shall remain.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 6 Aug. 1997