WHEREAS, Metro Manila continues to be the center of employment opportunities, trade and commerce of the Greater Metro Manila area;

WHEREAS, the traffic situation in Metro Manila has affected the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, owing to the continued movement of residents and industries to more affordable and economically viable locations in these provinces;

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is tasked to undertake measures to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and ensure the convenient and efficient travel of commuters within its jurisdiction;

WHEREAS, a primary cause of traffic congestion in Metro Manila has been the numerous buses plying the streets that impedes the flow of vehicles and commuters due to the inefficient connectivity of the different transport modes;

WHEREAS, the MMDA has recommended a plan to decongest traffic by eliminating the bus terminals now located along major Metro Manila thoroughfares and providing more convenient access to the mass transport system to the commuting public through the provision of mass transport terminal facilities that would integrate the existing transport modes, namely the buses, the rail-based systems of the LRT, MRT and PNR and to facilitate and ensure efficient travel through the improved connectivity of the different transport modes;

WHEREAS, the national government must provide the necessary funding requirements to immediately implement and render operational these projects; and extend to MMDA such other assistance as may be warranted to ensure their expeditious prosecution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. THE PROJECT. - The Project shall be identified as the GREATER MANILA TRANSPORT SYSTEM Project.

Section 2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES. - In accordance with the plan proposed by MMDA, the project aims to develop four (4) interim intermodal mass transport terminals to integrate the different transport modes, as well as those that shall hereafter be developed, to serve the commuting public in the northwest, north, east, south, and southwest of Metro Manila. Initially, the project shall concentrate on immediately establishing the mass transport terminals for the north and south Metro Manila commuters as hereinafter described.

Section 3. PROJECT IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is hereby designated as the Implementing Agency for the project. For this purpose, MMDA is directed to undertake such infrastructure development work as may be necessary and, thereafter, manage the project until it may be turned-over to more appropriate agencies, if found suitable and convenient. Specifically, MMDA shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

1. Cause the preparation of the Master Plan for the projects, including the designs and costing;
2. Coordinate the use of the land and/or properties needed for the project with the respective agencies and/or entities owning them;
3. Supervise and manage the construction of the necessary structures and facilities;
4. d) Execute such contracts or agreements as may be necessary, with the appropriate government agencies, entities, and/or private persons, in accordance with existing laws and pertinent regulations, to facilitate the implementation of the project;
5. Accept, manage and disburse such funds as may be necessary for the construction and/or implementation of the projects, in accordance with prevailing accounting and audit policies and practice in government.
6. Enlist the assistance of any national government agency, office or department, including local government units, government-owned or controlled corporations, as may be necessary;
7. Assign or hire the necessary personnel for the above purposes; and
8. Perform such other related functions as may be necessary to enable it to accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Executive Order.

Section 4. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. - The Project shall initially establish two (2) terminals to be located at:

1. The NORTH Terminal. - This component shall develop the easement area along the northbound portion of EDSA, from East to North Avenues, into bus terminal parking areas, to service passenger buses going to and coming from the northern provinces. This will require the temporary use of 24 meter depth frontage areas of properties of certain government agencies/entities located between North and East Avenues.
2. The SOUTH Terminal. - This component shall develop the easement area at the ground level of the Magallanes Interchange and the easement areas on the westbound portion of the South Luzon Expressway from EDSA to Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia), into bus terminal parking areas, to service passenger buses going to and coming from the provinces south of Metro Manila. This will require the temporary use of all vacant areas between the South Luzon Expressway and the existing PNR railroad.

In the medium range, the project shall endeavor to develop two (2) other terminals each to be located at:

3. The EAST Terminal. - This component shall develop a suitable portion of the Marikina Riverbank area into bus terminal parking areas, to service passenger buses and other land transport modes going to and coming from the provinces East of Metro Manila.
4. The SOUTHWEST Terminal. - This component shall develop a suitable portion of the PEA property along the Coastal Road area into terminal parking areas for buses and other land transport modes, to service commuting passengers going to and coming from the Provinces of Cavite and farther south.

Section 5. LAND USE. - All agencies and/or entities of the government, owning properties along the EDSA and South Expressway corridors indicated in Section 4 hereof are hereby directed to coordinate with MMDA and immediately allow, make available for use as may be required, and to subsequently transfer portions of their property fronting the corridors herein specified, in order to expedite the immediate initial implementation of this project.

Section 6.RELOCATION OF STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES. - The MMDA shall be responsible for the relocation of all structures and/or facilities of such agencies that may be affected. These agencies include, though not necessarily limited to the DOTC, MRT, DENR, NEDA Region 4, the Manila Seeding Bank, the PNP, NCRPO, the OPS-National Printing Office, NIA, PNB, DPWH Regional Office, and SSS.

Section 7. COOPERATING AGENCIES. - The PNR, LRTA, and such other agencies of government as may be involved, are likewise directed to immediately coordinate with MMDA, to expedite the further development of the other component terminal areas herein specified.

Section 8. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT. - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby directed to allocate funds to finance the implementation of the initial phase of the project specifically for the north and south terminals in such amount as may be necessary, but not to exceed ONE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (PhP 100,000,000.00), specifically to cover cost of construction for the north and south terminals. This may be drawn against any of the available reserves for infrastructure development under the discretion of the Office of the President.

Henceforth, such additional amounts as may be required may be included in the allowable budget ceiling of MMDA.

Section 9. EFFECTIVITY. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand three.

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary