As passengers are expected to go home to their provinces to commemorate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) on Monday inspected bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City.

Personnel from MMDA’s Health and Environmental Protection Office (HEPO) and I-ACT checked the compliance of bus terminals to Executive Order (EO) No. 26 or the nationwide smoking ban.

Among the bus terminals inspected were Five Star, Victory Liner, Jam, Jac Liner, etc.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim reminded the public that smoking inside the bus terminals is strictly prohibited.

“As part of the agency’s efforts in promoting a smoke-free environment, our environmental enforcers have posted “No Smoking” signages earlier within the vicinity of bus terminals in Cubao. This would serve as a reminder that EO 26 also prohibits smoking on public utility vehicles (PUVs),” Lim stressed.

Aside from monitoring of compliance to EO 26, authorities also checked if bus terminals adhere to the implementation of Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 or the “Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation” of the Department of Transportation.

Some PUV-related violations include the refusal to render service to the public and convey passenger to destination; failure to display “No Smoking” signage and/or allowing personnel or passenger to smoke inside the vehicle; overcharging/undercharging of fare; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating the unit/s with defective parts; and others.

Under the JAO 2014-01, first offense violators will face a fine of P5,000.00, second offense is subject to a fine of P10,000 and impounding of unit for thirty (30) days.

Third and subsequent violations will result to a fine of P15,000.00 and cancellation of certificate of public convenience. (MMDA)