THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Monday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to turn down provincial bus operators' request to bypass the Integrated Bus Terminal Exchange (ITX).

'Deviating from the basic concept of the ITX program and allowing provincial buses to bypass ITX terminals will derail this vital government program, jeopardize the viability of the terminals, and undermine the sanctity of contracts with private concessionaires, thus, forgoing the many benefits from the program,' MAP said in a statement.