LTFRB to inspect transport terminals

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz is scheduled to inspect transport terminals tomorrow ahead of the exodus of passengers during the Holy Week, LTFRB spokesperson Celine Pialago said yesterday.

“Chairman Guadiz will conduct an inspection, together with officials of the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and other road agencies,” Pialago said in a radio interview.

Pialago added that the LTFRB has started to put up assistance desks in the terminals to assist commuters.

She clarified that out of the 1,036 applications for special permits for public utility vehicles, 962 were approved by the LTFRB.

“The number of units applied in the central office was 1,036 and the approved was 962. The duration of the special permits was supposed to be from March 24 to March 31 but there was a board resolution extending it to March 22 to April 14,” Pialago added.

According to Pialago the roadworthiness of the buses as well as the fitness of the drivers are very important in ensuring the safety of the passengers.

“The most important is the condition of public transports. We anticipate the volume of the passengers so we need to take care of the commuters. The tires, the drivers are very important. If the driver is not fit, it will endanger the passengers,” she added.

Pialago said that based on the data of the LTFRB, Regions 2 and 3 are the top destinations of the passengers for the Holy Week.

“Many of the passengers from Metro Manila will go to Regions 2 and 3, that’s the highest units and many applied (for special permits),” Pialago added.

At the same time, Pialago added that Guadiz has directed all the regional offices to be active in their respective areas in conducting random inspection, drug testing and enforcement activities.

At least 1.7 million passengers are expected to use the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) amid the expected influx of commuters this Holy Week.

PITX spokesman Jason Salvador said representatives of concerned government agencies met to finalize the preparation for the exodus of people to their respective provinces.