LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Residents are looking forward to the resumption of inter-provincial bus trips in this province.
The provincial government has announced that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 1 (Ilocos) has endorsed to the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City the resumption of the inter-provincial bus trips in Pangasinan.
The endorsement was made after the recommendation letter of Gov. Amado I. Espino III was received and approved by the LTFRB regional office.
“Na-endorse na natin ito sa Central Office dahil inter-regional ang jurisdiction ng request. Positively, ayon sa data ng Central Office ay nakapag-apply na ang mga transport operators sa mga ruta na binuksan (We have endorsed this request to the Central Office. According to the Central Office, transport operators have applied for permits for the routes that will be opened),” said LTFRB Region 1 Director Nasrudin Talipasan.
Espino said in the letter dated Dec. 29, 2020 said safety protocols will be imposed when interprovincial trips are allowed. These are: Point-to-point travel system; provision of thermal scanning; strict observe health protocols (provision of alcohol dispensers and other sanitation devices); physical distancing; installation of semi-permeable barriers; periodic RT-PCR for drivers, conductors, and dispatchers; and mandatory wearing of face shields and face masks for bus passengers and personnel.
“Ang proseso ay umusad na po at hindi na po iyon tatagal. Sinisiguro ng ating probinsya, ng IATF at LTFRB na masunod lahat ng alituntunin para sa kaligtasaan natin (The process has started and this will be approved soon. We assure that all health protocols will be followed),” said Talipasan.
Attached in the letter of the provincial chief executive are the approval letters from local government units of the resumption of bus operations.
The provincial government suggested that an online system be adopted and health declaration forms will be submitted at border checkpoints of the province.
Provincial Legal Officer Geraldine U. Baniqued disclosed that the LTFRB has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051 stating the guidelines for the operation of provincial public utility to and from Metro Manila.
Espino has endorsed the following bus companies and their corresponding routes for the special permit to operate: Five Star Bus Bolinao to Quezon City, Bolinao to Pasay City, Anda to Balintawak, Quezon City, Agno to Balintawak, Quezon City, Tayug to Quezon City and San Carlos City to Quezon City; Victory Liner Lingayen to Quezon City, Alaminos City to Cubao, Quezon City; First Luzon Transit San Carlos City to Balintawak; San Manuel to Balintawak; and Urbiztondo to Balintawak.
Dagupan City is not included in the request as it is an independent component city of Pangasinan.