MANILA, Philippines —The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the special permits for over 1,100 passenger buses to operate in connection with the observance of this year's All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day collectively known as "Undas" in the country.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua Jr. said on Tuesday that the granting of the special permits was in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to guarantee sufficient public transportation throughout the holiday period.
“Of course, it was also approved by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez,” Pua told said..
Citing the bureau’s record, the acting LTFRB chief reported that the 1,131 approved buses stem from 384 special permit applications already granted in anticipation of the seasonal surge in passengers for the Undas 2026.
Another 28 applications, covering roughly 90 buses, remain under evaluation, the agency said.
"Our approval process involves a stringent review to confirm that the units receiving special permits are truly roadworthy for long-distance travel. The safety of passengers and other road users cannot be compromised,"said Pua, a lawyer.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) projected over 1.9 million passengers for the Undas exodus nationwide, according to LTFRB.
Pua stressed that the seasonal increase in passenger volume makes it essential to ensure enough buses were available to serve the riding public.
The approved permits cover routes to and from Manila that serve major urban centers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, he said.
John Paul Allen Victa, LTFRB executive director, who heads the office handling the review and approval of special permits, said 1,080 of the approved units will originate from Metro Manila.
These include 402 buses for the Metro Manila–Northern Luzon route, 290 for Metro Manila–Central Luzon, 185 for Metro Manila–Southern Luzon, and 61 for Metro Manila–Bicol Region.
Victa added that the LTFRB also cleared 19 units for Metro Manila–Eastern Visayas, 13 for Metro Manila–Western Visayas, and 10 for Metro Manila–Mindanao.
The remaining approved units will serve routes within the Northern, Central, and Bicol Regions that do not pass through Metro Manila, Victa said.
"All our efforts are meant to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for our ‘kababayan’ (countrymen) as they travel to and from their hometowns for this important annual religious tradition honoring our departed loved ones," Pua said.
