LTO-7 says more compliant PUVs

The Land Transportation Office (LTO)7 has noted an increase in the number of compliant public utility vehicles (PUV) under this year's Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2024 roadworthiness test compared to last year.

LTO-7 said that it has inspected a total of 572 PUVs since it launched its Oplan Biyaheng Ayos for the Holy Week last Sunday, March 24 until Friday, March 29.

Of the figure, a total of 533 PUVs passed the roadworthiness inspection conducted by LTO-7 personnel while the remaining 39 failed the inspection and did not get the go signal to ply its route.

LTO-7 regional director Glen Galario said this means there are more compliant PUVs this year compared to last year.

Galario said the 39 that they have noted who failed the worthiness inspection within the five-day operation of the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos was far less compared to last year which recorded double the number this year.

“If these PUVs failed the roadworthiness inspection, we give the drivers and operators the chance to correct the defects that failed during the inspection before they can ply again," said Galario, stating that their personnel had not issued anything yet to the drivers.

Common defects include worn-out tires, defective signal lights, a nonfunctioning wiper/washer, a broken windshield, and defective seatbelt devices, among others.

LTO-7 personnel also checked if PUVs were plying with valid certificates of public convenience (CPC) and if their drivers were bearing a valid driver's license.

“More or less, the reason that most of our PUVs are more compliant this year is because of the modern PUVs and also the preparedness of our drivers and operators with the influx of passengers especially since Semana Santa has one of the longest holidays in the country every year," added Galario.

The region-wide inspections were conducted in major terminals in Central Visayas, said Galario.

Random roadside inspections also took place wherein a total of 165 vehicles were apprehended all over the region.

Out of 165, five motorcycles were impounded for violations of unregistered units.

Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2024 will conclude today, Easter Sunday. -