MANILA: The EDSA Busway Carousel will have “roving patrols” deployed by the Inter-agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) to increase security and put an end to criminal activities within the public transport system.

Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Director Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod reaffirmed the agency's cooperation and support to I-ACT in managing and overseeing the busway during a meeting on Wednesday at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Garainod directed the deployment of roving patrols in order to increase security and serve as a “deterrent” to possible crimes.

According to I-ACT Deputy Chief Col. Isaias Espino (ret.), the busway was developed to facilitate public transport along EDSA using authorized buses that have been granted a “special permit” by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB).

He added that emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks may use the busway, however, due to the risk of getting stranded, especially during rush hours, these emergency vehicles do not use the busway exclusively.

I-ACT and HPG also discussed the rules for using the busway when vehicles of foreign delegates are occasionally authorized to do so, particularly during meetings held in Metro Manila. These measures are intended to maintain a smooth vehicular flow along EDSA during these events.

It was also noted at the discussion how important communication was between the two agencies and other partner agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in order to further strengthen the execution of their duties in the busway.

The deployment of HPG monitoring at the MMDA Metro Base, where PCG and I-ACT personnel are also stationed, led to the expansion of the line of communication.

The meeting was also attended by I-ACT Operations Head Lt. Col. Ed Cayetano (ret.), EDSA Busway Commander Col. Ferdinand Villanueva (ret.), I-ACT Administrative Officer Rayson Dela Torre, Col. William Segun, Col. Rommel Batangan, Maj. Eduardo Untalan II, Lt. Col. Joel Casupanan, and Lt. Col. Salvador Solana.

Photo from Department of Transportation

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