CEBU CITY – The Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7) noted a decrease in apprehensions in this year’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2024.”

AN agent of the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas inspects the tires of a passenger bus at the Cebu South Bus Terminal as part of the agency’s ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2024.’ (LTO-7)
LTO-7 Regional Director Glen Galario said that the fewer apprehensions was an indication that Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) have become more compliant with traffic laws.
Galario said that during the random roadworthiness inspections in various areas in Central Visayas from March 24 to 29, 572 PUVs were inspected and only 39 were found to be non-compliant.
Those who failed the roadworthiness inspection were not allowed to ply.
This year’s non-compliant vehicles were 50 percent fewer compared to last year’s conduct of Oplan: Biyaheng Ayos, said Galario.
The region-wide inspections were conducted in major terminals in Central Visayas in coordination with other government agencies to ensure the safety and security of the riding public this Holy Week.
"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.
Common defects include worn-out tires, defective signal lights, a non-functioning wiper and washer, a broken windshield, and defective seatbelt devices.
LTO-7 personnel also checked if PUVs have valid certificates of public convenience and if the drivers possessed valid driver's licenses.
"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.
A total of 165 private and public vehicles were apprehended after they failed to present CPC or driver’s license and violation of the Seatbelt Law and Anti-Distracted Driving laws.
Among those impounded were five motorcycles which were found to be unregistered.
LTO-7’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos will end on March 31.