Lacson suggests reverse EDSA busway to prevent illegal entry

MANILA, Philippines — Returning senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson has pitched the idea to reverse the direction of the EDSA busway to prevent its unauthorized use.

“To prevent unauthorized vehicles from using the bus way, MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) may consider studying the infrastructure reconfiguration to reverse the direction of buses passing through the bus lanes and make the problem solve itself,” Lacson said on X.

“Nobody wants a head-on collision,” Lacson said, noting that the change in direction would prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the reversed bus lane.

“Exempt yourself at your own risk,” he added.

A similar proposal had been discussed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2024.

“We asked the opinion of the bus operators, and their initial reaction is that it is a good idea. We want to make the busway really exclusive for buses. And we also want the doors of the buses on the right side for safety considerations,” then DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

Meanwhile, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III questioned the proposal to expand the exemption of the busway.

“Right now, I disagree with adding more exemptions. Why is there a busway in the first place? Are you the president of the Philippines?” Sotto said.

The top officials – President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice – are the only ones fully authorized to use the lane without prior notice. — Cecille Suerte Felipe