LTFRB releases added guidelines for carrying pets in public utility vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has released its supplemental guidelines for carrying pets inside public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Memorandum Circular No. 2020-003 dated January 27, 2020, was released following LTFRB’s move to allow pets in PUVs in April 2019.

The memorandum states that if pets are to be loaded in mass transportation such as buses, jeepneys, and vans, among others, they should be put inside cages or animal carriers and are free of foul odor. Pet owners should place their pets beside them and pay the corresponding fare for their pets as that of any paying passenger.

“Pets placed inside a carrier/cage must be beside the passenger-owner and must pay the corresponding fare in the amount the same as that of the paying passenger-owner per seat occupied,” the memorandum states.

The LTFRB added that pets while inside the PUV must wear animal diapers to maintain cleanliness and sanitation inside the vehicle during the trip.

Only small and medium-sized dogs are also allowed inside public vehicles, the LTFRB clarified.

The LTFRB released a memorandum in 2019 allowing pets in PUVs.

One of the guidelines in the memorandum states that “these animals must be put inside carriers/cages and placed at the designated animal compartment of the PUV, should there be other passengers inside the PUV.”

This, however, was met with criticism as existing mass transportation does not have designated animal compartments with proper ventilation.

Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong, who was among those who lobbied for the amendments in the guidelines, welcomed the development.

“Fur-parents and hoomans, let’s claim this good news. Pwede na pong kasama ang ating fur-babies sa ating #travelgoals [pictures],” Ong said.

Edited by MUF