Provincial buses stop at the gate.
MBT takes it from there.

In my field, which is programming, API has been a tool utilized by almost all systems. May it be a banking system, payroll system, student portal system, all these systems utilize API. I remember when I was teaching, the easiest way to explain it is, using the Jollibee analogy. Imagine the kitchen, this plays as your backend, while the cashier serves as your front end, and once the client already orders their food, an API will run to confirm the order to the kitchen, and once the meal is cooked, then a new API will return the prepared meal for the client's consumption.

Now, of course following this model, efficiency and effectiveness plays a crucial role. It's not enough to deliver what the clients want but also guarantee that even in a bulk request, it can handle it smoothly and efficiently. The same architectural thinking that drives efficient systems design applies directly to public transportation.

It's not enough that we're doing public transportation, it's not enough that we were able to move a typical “Juan Dela Cruz” from his point A to his point B, right? But we should also ask ourselves, did we handle it with efficiency? Was this system effective? If a simple movement of a “Juan Dela Cruz” seems to be problematic, and time-consuming then expect the same result for the rest of the commuters.

With that being said, let's cover the discussion about the real score of ‘provincial buses’ in Metro Manila. If we look at the map of Metro Manila, common terminals for these provincial buses are usually located within Recto in Manila City, Cubao in Quezon City, and even in Pasay City, and the harshest reality about this is that these are “private terminals”, means that these buses own and serves their bus line only, and mind you, these terminals are also located right in the middle of Metro Manila.

Imagine the usual number of passengers of a provincial bus running around 30–60 commuters. Now, for example, a trip by Victory Liner bus, from Cubao to Baguio, this route has almost 40+ trips per day.^[1]That's a clear reflection of options but a clear question of efficiency and effectiveness per se. Imagine going to Baguio with 40+ options. Damn! That number is high, and relatively fine if it always carries in full capacity? But does it always run in full capacity?

You might be wondering why Victory Liner was even allowed to have these number of trips per route. The answer traces back to Section 5A of Executive Order 202 of 1987— yes, that infamous section, the real culprit in today's public transportation. As long as a route proves economically viable, the LTFRB is mandated to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience.

But honestly, this has been pointed out, even before. There was even an argument whether or not provincial buses should be permitted to enter Metro Manila or not, they even set up a window period for these terminals with their supposed time of entry/exit within Metro Manila.^[2]

You remember the API earlier, imagine consuming an API for each, items, and not in a per order-basis system. So for example, if the client orders: 1 small fries, 1pc. chicken, 1 soda, and 1 apple pie, the current setup will run each API to inform the kitchen of the orders that pertains to one small fries, another request for 1pc chicken, another request for soda, and another request for apple pie, thus alone consumes four APIs.

Now, it's relatively fine if Jollibee is not every Filipino's favorite, but it is. So imagine alone if a branch was able to accept a total number of 30–60 orders, for the same request, it would run around 240 requests just to inform the kitchen of their order, and for the kitchen to deliver the cooked meal, another 240. Again, let's remember Jollibee is the No.1 chicken service restaurant in Southeast Asia,^[3] and 60 orders is an understatement. Right?

But, luckily the DOTr already knows about this one. As they have already implemented this system through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).^[4] Yehey!

Same goes — next question applies, is this a one time thing only? Is PITX going to be first and last?

Indeed, not. Because in 2018, Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC) Integrated Terminal was already implemented prior to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).^[5] Thank God!

But the conversation continues, are these two, the final list? Should we even push for more?

In an alternate option, I humbly suggest we should build not just 2 but seven integrated terminals that sit on the border of Metro Manila. The North-Western Gateway Terminal, The North Gateway Terminal (Valenzuela Gateway Complex), North-Northeast Gateway Terminal, North-Eastern Gateway Terminal, South-Eastern Gateway Terminal, Southern Gateway Terminal, and South-Western Gateway Terminal (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange).

The same idea follows, capturing all commuters from these gateway terminals and start moving them within Metro Manila through a network of mass public transportation systems, that includes the railway system, and also bus system. This is where feeder lines, tertiary lines play a crucial role in moving people to their destination.

The PITX is already a live proof to this model. PITX is even connected with LRT1,^[6]and all other city and provincial bus routes that run through Metro Manila, and is indeed a blessing for all commuters. But a careful reminder, let me repeat what I did mentioned in my writings in ‘Why BRT’,

“This is where it brings reality into the table. Regardless of how beautiful the project may be, if no proper support is presented, no executive order that backs it, no legal writing that argues for it, then time will tell whether or not how EDSA Carousel can sustain this demand or just naturally degrade its service on its own.”

As this is also the same with PITX, and VGC. Regardless of how beautiful the intention of the project, if no proper support is presented and no executive order that backs it, it's just a waste of time and energy. If the handling and system itself is not well organized for these terminals, then, this will degenerate on its own. Maintenance of these infrastructure is crucial as it will serve the 14 million commuters 24/7 and 365 days.

In these hubs/terminals, holidays do not exist, indeed, only “patay-oras” but not totally closed as these infrastructures, as they are designed to serve people all year round.

Now, do you remember the Baguio trip? And the in-efficient consumption of API?

If we were to redesign that, Jollibee should focus on per-item basis, only one API should inform the kitchen of the client's order, and another API to present the orders of the client. Instead of 240 individual API calls, a single batch request handles it all — from one order to one delivery. That's the gateway model.

I suggest creating another North Luzon Terminal, possibly located in Pangasinan. Another terminal that would cater trips to further north. In that way, we collate all commuters that will use the same route, and once arrived in Pangasinan, they can either decide where to continue the trip, continue it up to Baguio or continue further to La Union. As bus trip is also available from Pangasinan terminal to La Union. So imagine once you arrive in Valenzuela Gateway Complex, you can now hop on another bus trip to Pangasinan Terminal, in which you can select another trip that would cater your actual desired destination.

Why Pangasinan? Since almost all north bound trips enter the same route up until Pangasinan, then it makes more sense to place it and position there. This will also increase the local economy as this will encourage foot traffic in the province, and at the same time an opportunity for travellers to depart and enjoy the beautiful province of Pangasinan. This can also be done on the south side, thus integration of another terminal in the likes of Cavite, Batangas, Laguna as we all know Region 4A is also the region with the highest population, amounting to 16 million+ in population, thus demanding the same quality of transportation planning in this region too.

Let's stop acting as if we are the first region to encounter these issues, we are not — we are relatively late, actually.

Lastly, a gentle reminder to all, encourage people from moving, walking and making those transfers as this is the real answer in moving the rest of the 14 million people of this region.