WHEREAS, as Metro Manila continues to expand its influence in the sphere of Philippine progress, the demand for a better mass transport system increases;

WHEREAS, Metro Manila, as the premier urban center of the country, must be able to cope with the said demand by providing long term solutions to the perennial traffic problem in the metropolis which continue to affect the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7924 empowers the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to undertake transport and traffic management which include the formulation, coordination and monitoring of policies, standards, programs and projects and the provision for the mass transport system in Metropolitan Manila;

WHEREAS, among the identified causes of traffic congestion in Metro Manila are the provincial buses plying the streets that impede the flow of vehicles and commuters due to the inefficient connectivity of the different transport modes;

WHEREAS, there is a need to remove the bus terminals located along major thoroughfares of Metro Manila and an urgent need to integrate the different transport modes namely the buses, the rail-based systems of the LRT, MRT and PNR in order to decongest traffic and ensure efficient travel and comfort to the commuters;

WHEREAS, the Greater Manila Mass Transport System Project aims to develop five (5) interim intermodal mass transport terminals to integrate the different transport modes to serve the commuting public in the northwest, north, east, south and southwest of Metro Manila;

WHEREAS, the scope of the GMMTS initially include the establishment of two (2) terminals to be located at the (1) 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; (2) South Terminal - this component shall develop the easement area at the ground level of the Magallanes Interchange and the easement areas on the east portion of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) 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 SLEX and the existing PNR railroad;

WHEREAS, the GMMTS shall endeavor to develop two (2) other terminals each to be located at the (1) 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; (2) 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;

WHEREAS, the GMMTS Project will be implemented by the MMDA together with the cooperating agencies such as the PNR, LRTA and such other agencies of the government as may be involved to expedite the development of the other component terminal areas;

WHEREAS, the Metro Manila Council (Council) recognizes the urgent need to establish the Greater Manila Mass Transport System to ensure efficient connectivity of the different transport modes which would improve the flow of traffic in the metropolis thereby providing safe and convenient movement of persons and goods in Metro Manila.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, pursuant to Section 6 of RA 7924, that the Council hereby fully supports the Greater Manila Mass Transport System Project of the MMDA.

This Resolution shall take effect upon approval.

Adopted: 21 Feb. 2003

(SGD.) HILDA I. CORPUZ
Overall Head
Council Secretariat

Noted:

(SGD.) BAYANI F. FERNANDO
Chairman