The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wants to increase the capacity of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the National Capital Region from 70 to 100 percent once the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approves the recommendation to place Metro Manila under Alert Level 1.
LTFRB Executive Director Maria Kristina Cassion said they are yet to submit a recommendation to the IATF regarding the return to full passenger capacity of public utility vehicles.
“It’s still up to the IATF kung papayagan po ito but for ito po ang ating sinusulong at nirerecommend na itaas na from 70 percent to 100 percent and capacity natin (It’s up to the IATF if they will allow our recommendation to increase the capacity of PUVs from 70 to 100 percent),” Cassion said over Laging Handa briefing on Saturday, Feb. 26.
She added that the agency and all concerned local government units (LGUs) have also allowed the operation of provincial buses in inter-regional routes,
In a separate statement, the LTFRB said that all public utility buses (PUBs) with a valid Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), Provisional Authority (PA), and special permits, will be allowed to re-operate under Alert Level 1, as stated on the agency’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2022 - 023.
“Pakiusap po na wag pa rin tayo maging kampante patuloy pa rin po ang ating pagsunod sa health and safety protocols lalo na yung wearing ng face mask at saka yung sa mga drivers na constant disinfection ng kanilang mga sasakyan (Please do not be complacent and still follow the health and safety protocols. We should still wear our masks and drivers should also disinfect their public vehicles regularly),” she said.