Demand the Resignation of MMDA Chairman Romando Artes: A Threat to Inclusive Mobility and Public Transport!

The EDSA Busway has been a lifeline for millions of Filipinos, moving hundreds of thousands of commuters daily with efficiency and reliability. Since its implementation, it has provided an essential alternative to the congested roads of Metro Manila, offering a people-centered and inclusive mobility solution. However, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes is now considering its removal—an irresponsible and shortsighted move that would severely harm the commuting public.

By suggesting that the EDSA Busway be dismantled to ‘free up’ road space for private vehicles, Artes is proving himself incompetent and a mismatch for an agency that should prioritize public transport and sustainable mobility. As someone who is not an urban planner but comes from a different background, he lacks the expertise required to make informed decisions on transport and urban mobility. This proposal is not just impractical; it is oppressive to the millions of Filipinos who rely on an efficient transport system every day. Instead of improving mobility, this move will only exacerbate congestion, increase travel time, and worsen air pollution, all while favoring the privileged few who can afford private cars over the vast majority who depend on public transport.

Additionally, the suggestion to remove bike lanes along EDSA to accommodate motorcycles imposes severe dangers to the thousands of cyclists who use these lanes daily. This reckless proposal ignores the importance of safe, dedicated infrastructure for cyclists, further endangering vulnerable road users and undermining efforts to promote sustainable transportation.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) itself has acknowledged the crucial role of the EDSA Busway, which served over 63 million passengers in 2024 alone. Removing it would be catastrophic, and if anything, MRT and MMDA should be reconsidered for their redundancy, given the efficiencies that Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and the DOTr provide.

If Chairman Artes cannot champion solutions that serve the people rather than private vehicle owners, then he should resign. We call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the national government to remove Chairman Artes from his position and appoint a leader who truly understands and upholds inclusive and sustainable mobility.

Sign this petition to demand the resignation of MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and stand against the dismantling of the EDSA Busway!