QUEZON CITY, Philippines — To prevent commuter gridlocks and ensure adequate public transport during the upcoming Undas holiday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued special permits to more than 1,100 passenger buses allowing them to operate outside their designated regular routes.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg Pua Jr. announced that a total of 1,131 buses—spanning 384 approved applications, mostly originating from Metro Manila—have been cleared for deployment as millions prepare to travel to their home provinces for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Our approval mechanisms include stringent review of the units that will be given special permits are indeed safe for long travels. The safety of passengers and other road users must not be compromised,” Pua stated.
According to LTFRB Executive Director John Paul Allen Victa, whose office handles the review process, the approved breakdown includes 402 units servicing Metro Manila-Northern Luzon, 290 for Metro Manila-Central Luzon, 185 for Metro Manila to Southern Luzon, and 61 for the Bicol region.
Additionally, the board approved 19 units for Metro Manila to Eastern Visayas, 13 for Western Visayas, and 10 for Mindanao. The remaining units cover various regional routes outside Metro Manila, spanning Northern, Central, and Bicol regions. An additional 28 applications covering about 90 buses are currently under review.
The deployment aims to avert commuter congestion, anticipating a heavy surge of travelers. The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) previously projected an influx of over 1.9 million passengers traversing between Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao during the holiday exodus.
Pua added that Regional Franchising Regulatory Offices have been directed to closely monitor passenger volume in their respective areas to prevent anyone from getting stranded.
“All our efforts are intended to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience to all our kababayan to and from their hometowns for this important annual religious activity to honor our departed loved ones,” Pua concluded.