MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is expediting the processing of all special permit applications it has received for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day or "Undas."
Acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua, Jr. told The Manila Times that the agency has received 356 special permit applications covering a total of 1,003 units for routes across various parts of the country.
This figure was higher compared to Undas 2025, which saw 323 applications covering 847 units, indicating an anticipated influx of more passengers traveling to and from their home provinces for the holiday break, Pua said.
"We are reviewing all the data we have to determine the appropriate number of passenger buses that will be granted special permits. The goal has always been to have a sufficient number of buses, as a huge number of our fellowmen go to their home provinces to honor their departed loved ones," the acting LTFRB chief said.
This initiative aligns with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to ensure a fast, safe, and comfortable travel experience for Filipinos across the country, he said.
Pua stressed that the approval of permits came with a strict vetting process on the roadworthiness of passenger buses.
Such a requirement is necessary to ensure the safety of all those on board the passenger buses, as well as all other road users, said Pua, a lawyer.
Part of the approval process is the strict instruction to bus companies and transport operators to ensure the mental and physical readiness of their drivers, with the LTFRB emphasizing that operators can also be penalized for reckless driving by their drivers.
He then directed the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office personnel to check the status of bus terminals and ensure that operators comply with at least the basic facility requirements for passengers.
Last year, a number of transport firms and establishment owners were penalized for operating dilapidated transport terminals.
