MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued show cause orders (SCOs) and notices to comply to 29 operators of bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals for failing to meet passenger safety and comfort standards.
In a statement on Sunday, the LTFRB said the actions were part of its continuing nationwide inspections aimed at ensuring the welfare of commuters, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said regular and surprise inspections of terminals would now become a permanent policy.
“The regular inspection of bus and PUV terminals will now be a new normal. This is the only way to instill in the minds of operators that they must comply with the regulations at all times,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB regional offices began deploying inspection teams last week. Out of 155 terminals inspected nationwide, 87 were found to be non-compliant with existing rules on passenger safety and convenience.
Among the facilities checked were waiting areas with adequate protection from weather, clean comfort rooms, accessibility features for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, availability of fire extinguishers and CCTV systems, and properly designed entry and exit points.
The highest number of terminals issued with notices were in Region 10 at 20, followed by Metro Manila,13, and Calabarzon, 12.
Mendoza said all regional directors have been ordered to submit compliance reports and to sustain inspections until operators fully comply.
“We will not hesitate to shut down the operation of any bus terminals whose operators remain defiant. We did it before, and we can always do it again if they fail to comply,” he said.
