With millions expected to travel for the Christmas and New Year rush, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is fast-tracking its review of special bus permits as it vows to flood terminals with enough roadworthy units to prevent holiday-season commuter chaos.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the guidance of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, is finalizing the review of all applications for special permits for passenger buses ahead of the anticipated surge of holiday travelers.
LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the review ensures that only buses that pass strict road-worthiness inspections will be granted permits, in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to prioritize passenger safety and comfort.
“It’s better to approve more passenger buses for special permits than to fall short, because our fellow Filipinos will suffer when stranded in terminals with no buses available,” Mendoza said.
“We expect a spike in travel in the coming days as school breaks begin and students head home to the provinces. Others will be traveling to Manila and major cities for vacation, so we must be prepared for all of this,” he added.
Mendoza emphasized that increasing the number of permitted buses will not mean compromising safety standards.
“Gone are the days when any bus could be given a special permit. Passenger safety and comfort will always be the priority,” he said.
Applications for special permits—filed from November 10 to 21—covered 1,413 bus units across 116 routes nationwide. The approved permits will be valid from December 15, 2025 to January 16, 2026.
The number of applications this year is significantly higher than previous years: 1,003 in 2024 and 1,174 in 2023, reflecting a large expected increase in passenger volume. Mendoza said this makes coordination between LTFRB and transport operators even more crucial.
“We will maintain constant coordination with all concerned agencies on safety and security. Our monitoring will not stop at the bus terminals—roads must also be watched closely with the help of the PNP and local governments,” Mendoza said.
“And our fellow Filipinos can be assured that the LTFRB will carry this out,” he added.