A total of 956 special permits were granted for public utility vehicles (PUVs), especially passenger buses, in anticipation of the influx of passengers who would take advantage of the long Christmas break for a vacation in their home towns and other areas across the country, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Thursday, Dec. 19.
LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said the special permits covers the period Dec. 20 when the Christmas exodus begins up to Jan. 10 next year when passengers are expected to return to their workplaces and schools.
“We are glad to announce that we have approved 956 special permits for PUVs this Christmas and during the first 10 days of 2025. They are expected to cater to more commuters this holiday rush, ensuring an efficient and safe travels to all,” said Guadiz.
“The granting of special permits to almost a thousand units across the country is crucial in maintaining efficient public transportation for commuters during this holiday rush,” he added.
A total of 988 applications were received by the LTFRB but Guadiz said only 956 of them were approved after complying with the necessary requirements.
As a regular practice during holidays when an influx of travelers to and from the provinces significantly increases, the LTFRB Board accepts applications for special permits for PUVs, including buses.
It aims to add more PUVs allowed to ply routes aside from their original routes in order to augment the available public transportation in areas where movement of commuters are high during holidays.
The Philippine Ports Authority earlier said that they are expecting four million passengers to troop to various ports across the country.
Land transportation, however, is necessary for the passenger travel to the ports.
Guadiz expressed confidence that the number of approved special permits this year will greatly help the annual exodus of travelers to and from their hometowns.
“By doing this, we hope that we can at least contribute to the safer and merrier celebration of the Filipino people this Christmas. We ensure that other matters in terms of keeping them safe this Christmas, such as ensuring PUVs are safe to travel and terminals are efficient and convenient, will also be prioritized,” said Guadiz.