More than 700 special bus permits ready for Holy Week travel - LTFRB

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 21) — The Land and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is processing special permits for 712 bus units for travel during the Holy Week break, an official said Tuesday.

“Pag mga ganitong season, nagdadagdag ho ang LTFRB ng mga buses papuntang probinsya para matugunan yung pagtaas ng mga pasahero,” Joel Bolano, LTFRB technical division head, said during the government-sponsored Laging Handa briefing.

[Translation During this season, LTFRB increases the number of buses going to provinces to meet the influx of passengers.]

The transport regulator earlier issued a special permit valid from March 31 to April 17 to selected public utility vehicles.

READ: LTFRB expands period for PUV special permits for Holy Week 

Meanwhile, transport group Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) reminded drivers and operators to check the roadworthiness of their vehicles.

“Ang ating panawagan lang sa mga drivers at operators ay kailangan din maghanda ng lakas, at saka matulog at kumain ng tama para makaiwas sa aksidente,” LTOP president Orlando Marquez said during the same interview.

[Translation: We call on drivers and operators to prepare their strength, and to sleep and eat right to avoid road accidents.]

LTFRB said it will inspect the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Quezon City.

In a related development, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it has enough manpower at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to manage the volume of travellers during Holy Week.

MIAA said it is ready to add employees as needed.

“We are processing 120,000 passengers per day and we expect by the Holy Week, we will reach 140,000 passengers per day,” Bryan Co, MIAA assistant general manager, said during Laging Handa.

Most of the country will observe Holy Week from April 2 (Palm Sunday) to Easter Sunday on April 9.