THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved temporary special permits for 1,021 public utility vehicles (PUVs) to ensure adequate rides for the public during the Holy Week. The privilege however, ends on Apr. 14.
In anticipation of the Lenten exodus to the provinces, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vi or Mendoza II ordered all regional directors and other officials to start implementing road security measures in their respective areas of responsibility
“The LTFRB issues special permits during special occasions, including Holy Week, to maximize the operations of PUVs as the influx of passengers travelling to their home provinces is expected to
increase before, during, and after the Holy Week,” LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III said.
“This is also to ensure safe and secured travel for our Filipino commuters,” he added.
In collaboration with the LTO, the LTFRB will inspect PUVs at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Mar. 25, ahead of the Holy Week break, under the Oplan Bantay-Biyahe Semana Santa.
Guadiz said the inspection aims to check if there are help desks set up in the terminals and ensure the roadworthiness of the PUVs.
Such necessary precautionary steps are implemented in anticipation of the surge of passengers during the Lenten season.
“We are on alert, including all our regional offices, and that there will be standby security and safety measures within their regions. So, we have deployed LTFRB personnel for public assistance to our passengers,” LTFRB spokesperson Celine Pialago said.
