LTFRB warns violators of Safe Spaces law during launch of new campaign

LTFRB Technical Division Chief at Gender and Development Technical Working Group member Joel Bolano putting “Bawal ang Bastos” sticker on a vehicle at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on October 2, 2023, during the launch of the agency’s “Oplan Tuldukan ang Karahasan.” Photo from LTFRB

MANILA, Philippines — In line with the campaign against gender-based sexual harassment on public utility vehicles (PUV) and terminals, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched the “Oplan Tuldukan ang Karahasan” on Monday.

During the launch, LTFRB Technical Division Chief at Gender and Development (GAD) Technical Working Group member Joel Bolano, and Administrative Division Chief and GAD Assistant Focal Point Rowena Dirain posted “Bawal ang Bastos” stickers in PUVs at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the agency said.

Among the vehicles reportedly affixed with these stickers are public buses and modern and traditional jeepneys. Stickers were also posted on parked taxis at the PITX during the launch.

According to the LTFRB, this is under the agency’s Memorandum Circular No. 2023-016, or the “Implementation of Safe Spaces Act involving Public Land Transportation Services” under the Republic Act No. 11313, which is about gender-based harassment in public places, including PUVs.

“Iyon pong dinikit natin, nandoon po ang ating hotline 1342. Kung kayo po ay nakasakay sa public transportation, kapag po mayroon po kayong na-experience na karahasan o pambabastos, magkaiba po ang penalty. Kapag ang empleyado, ‘yong driver, o konduktor ang may gawa nito ay mas mabigat po ‘yong penalty,” Bolano said in a statement.

(The stickers bear our hotline 1342. If you are in public transportation and you experience violence or sexual offenses, there are varying penalties. If the offender is an employee [of the transport sector], driver, or conductor, the penalty is heavier.)

The LTFRB said the operation aims to remind the public of the penalties that may be imposed on the violators of the Implementation of Safe Spaces Act involving Public Land Transportation Services.

Based on their memorandum, a PUV operator, driver, conductor, or employee who violates it may be imposed a fine of P5,000 and a six-month suspension of the involved vehicle’s franchise.

For the second offense, a fine of P10,000 and a one-year suspension of the franchise may be imposed, while a fine of P15,000 and cancellation of Certificate of Public Convenience may happen on the third offense.

Under the said memorandum, there are also penalties for the PUV operator, driver, conductor, or employee who fails to do anything to avoid gender-based sexual harassment within their vehicles or terminal or report it to the proper authorities.

JPV/abc