MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday reminded the operators and drivers of public utility vehicles—especially those serving provincial or long routes—to ensure the roadworthiness of their units amid the expected surge for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
“Our road safety reminder comes with a warning of serious legal consequences. Let us avoid that by simply complying with the obligations you promised to observe when you applied for the CPC (certificate of public convenience) and authority to operate,” said acting LTFRB chairman Greg Pua Jr. on PUV operators and drivers.
The reminder comes as millions of Filipinos begin preparing to travel to their home provinces and other destinations for the "Undas," which also offers a long holiday break, the agency said.
Keeping every PUV unit properly maintained is an obligation each operator must fulfill under the conditions set in the issuance of CPC and other authority to operate, Pua reiterated.
"Always remember that your passengers pay not only to reach their destinations but also for the trust and confidence that they will travel safely and comfortably," said Pua, a lawyer.
The directive aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s instruction to the Department of Transportation, of which the LTFRB is an attached agency (DOTr), to ensure road safety and protect all travelers and road users, the top LTFRB official stressed.
Millions of Filipinos are expected to head to the provinces and other areas for the Undas and vacation plans, with the significant increase in passengers expected to begin on Friday, according to LTFRB.
To meet the demand for more passenger buses, the LTFRB issued special permits to over 1,200 buses nationwide—most of them for routes between Metro Manila and various parts of Luzon, and vice versa.
Pua said that the roadworthiness reminder also extended to other modes of public transportation, as millions are likewise expected to take taxis, ride-hailing services, and other PUVs to and from bus terminals and other transportation hubs such as airports and seaports.
"Let us do away with the 'puwede pa yan' (that will do) mentality. Lives are at stake, and as responsible operators and drivers, it is always a must to regularly check the condition of your units," he said.
Beyond the lives of drivers and passengers, Pua noted that poorly maintained PUVs also pose safety threats to other road users.
