LTFRB eyes return of limited provincial bus runs to and from NCR within the month
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Wednesday it is eyeing the resumption of limited provincial bus runs to and from Metro Manila within the month as some provinces have agreed to reopen its borders to provincial buses.
In a televised briefing, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra said the local governments of Antique, Quirino, and Bataan have agreed to open its borders to provincial buses coming from Metro Manila.
“Nagbubukas na po tayo, if I may say that, ng inter-provincial at inter-regional routes except the one here in Metro Manila which we are already ready to open, inaayos lang po natin, hopefully we’ll be able to open it within the month,” Delgra said.
(We are already reopening inter-provincial and inter-regional routes except here in Metro Manila which we are already ready to open, we are just adjusting it, hopefully, we’ll be able to open it within the month.)
But despite this, Delgra noted that many local government units (LGUs) still oppose the opening their borders for provincial bus operations to Metro Manila.
“Since we are in a context of a pandemic, naghahanda ang mga LGUs kung paano ihahandle yung mga pasahero na aalis sa kanilang lugar o dadating,” Delgra said.
(Since we are in a context of a pandemic, the LGUs are readying themselves on how to handle the passengers leaving and arriving at their jurisdictions.)
“Marami po sa kanila ang ayaw pa ang magbukas ng borders, lalong lalo na sa ruta na manggagaling sa Metro Manila. That is really our main concern,” he added.
(Many of them still do not want to reopen their borders especially in routes coming from Metro Manila. That is really our main concern.)
Public transportation in many areas of the country has gradually resumed with the easing of community quarantine restrictions.
But provincial buses are still not allowed to enter Metro Manila which remains undr a general community quarantine until September 30.
