MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Sunday that it has granted over 1,000 special permits to various public utility vehicles (PUVs) to accommodate the anticipated surge of travelers for the upcoming Undas holiday.
Speaking in a radio interview, LTFRB Acting Chairperson Atty. Greg Pua Jr. noted that the agency expects further applications as transportation groups monitor advanced bookings.
”Marami na po. In fact, nasa around 1,200 to 1,300 there about po na na-issue na special permits, units na po ‘yun,” Pua said.
The issued permits cover a variety of transport units, including standard buses, mini buses, and passenger vans.
”May mga bus, mini bus, may mga van din po,” Pua added.
To manage the expected influx, the board anticipates a steady rise in permit requests in the coming days as operators gauge passenger demand.
”I heard po yung mga samahan ng mga provincial buses, inup na po nila yung kanilang mga advanced bookings at online bookings, so malalaman na po nila kung kulang pa po yung kanilang mga buses. We expect pa po until next week, siguro, marami pang applications na masa-submit,” Pua explained.
Additionally, the regulatory board will deploy dedicated assistance desks across major transport terminals to facilitate on-the-spot permit requests and address potential vehicle shortages.
”Nandoon po kami sa mga terminal para kung sakaling mayroon po yung mga kulang pa, makapag-issue kami agad,” Pua stated.
This year’s observance includes All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 1, followed by All Souls’ Day on Monday, November 2.