In an advisory on Thursday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would open 10 point-to-point (P2P) provincial bus routes to and from Metro Manila beginning December 21.
Jansen Romero / File Photo / Manila Bulletin
Under LTFRB’s memorandum circular (MC) 2020-082, which was signed on Wednesday, a total of 269 P2P buses were permitted to ply anew in 10 routes listed below.
• Clark, Pampanga – SM North Edsa
• Clark, Pampanga – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal (with a limited-stop in Ortigas)
• Clark, Pampanga – Lubao, Pampanga (with special stops in San Fernando and Angeles City, Pampanga)
• Clark, Pampanga – Dagupan, Pangasinan (with special stops at Rosales and Urdaneta, Pangasinan)
• Clark, Pampanga – Subic, Zambales (with a special stop at Dinalupihan, Bataan)
• NAIA/Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) – Baguio City
• Batangas City – Ortigas
• Batangas City – PITx
• Lipa City, Batangas – Ortigas
• Lipa City, Batangas – PITx
“Ang paglabas ng MC 2020-082 ay kasunod ng inilabas na resolusyon ng Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) na nagbibigay permiso sa mga Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) na bumiyahe palabas ng Metro Manila,” the LTFRB said.
LTFRB added that these buses must be:
• roadworthy
• has a valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or application for extension of validity
• must be registered with a personal passenger insurance policy
Meanwhile, LTFRB reiterated that buses plying inter-regional routes outside Metro Manila must secure a special permit from the LTFRB.
“Para sa mga mag-a-apply ng special permit, i-send ang inyong application sa technical@ltfrb.gov.ph,” the LTFRB said.
Also, it said that the pick-up and drop-off terminals of these provincial routes must follow proper health and safety protocols before they are given clearance to operate by their respective local government units (LGUs).
Furthermore, Bus operators were reminded by the LTFRB that aside from following policies set by the IATF-EID and LGUs, there are also no price-hikes authorized at the moment.
As per LTFRB, bus drivers, conductors, operators, and passengers should follow the “seven commandments” in public transportation, such as:
• wearing face mask and shield at all times
• no talking
• no eating
• ensuring proper ventilation in PUVs
• regular disinfection
• barring those with COVID-19 symptoms
• follow the “one-seat-apart” rule