Passenger capacity of road-based public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Metro Manila will remain at 70 percent this holiday season, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

The LTFRB issued on Tuesday, Dec. 7, Memorandum Circular 2021-076 which sets the applicable passenger capacity in PUVs nationwide to be implemented from Dec. 9 to Jan. 4.

Under the memorandum, the same passenger capacity will also be allowed in provinces under Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study Update and Capacity Enhancement Project namely Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

For regions allowing 50 percent passenger capacity for PUVs, the LTFRB said they may increase their passenger load at 70 percent if they have surpassed 30 percent vaccination rate as of Dec. 1.

For the rest of the regions, the passenger capacity will remain at 50 percent, the LTFRB added.

In regions that are allowing 70 percent passenger capacity but have yet to confirm 30 percent vaccination rate, the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Board will be required to submit a memorandum to the board with a certification of vaccination rate from the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force or Department of Health Regional Office.

The LTFRB also set the rules on passenger capacity for inter-regional routes in the same memorandum.

For PUVs going to Metro Manila, the allowed passenger capacity from their place of origin should be observed, while those coming from the National Capital Region (NCR) should follow the capacity in the place of the trip’s endpoint.

Meanwhile, PUVs with inter-regional routes that will not traverse Metro Manila should follow the lowest passenger capacity in the concerned regions.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) started to gradually increase the passenger capacity of buses, jeepneys, and UV Express last Nov. 4 following the improvement of the country's pandemic situation.

Despite the ease in quarantine restrictions, the DOTr and LTFRB reminded drivers and passengers to still observe the following seven commandments inside public transport:

1. Wear masks and face shields

2. No talking and making phone calls

3. No eating

4. Keep public utility vehicles well-ventilated

5. Conduct frequent disinfection

6. No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside the public transportation

7. Observe appropriate physical distancing rule

The LTFRB likewise warned PUV operators that sanctions such as fines and revocation of license await if they failed to observe the guidelines.