The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday issued a warning to Filipinos to be wary of overcharging public utility vehicles (PUVs) during Holy Week.
In an advisory, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said that during Holy Week, there is a significant presence of delinquent PUV drivers, including those operating illegally.
Guadis also warned the public against transport companies that overcharge commuters due to high demand, and said “heavy penalties” would be imposed on violators of fare matrices.
The LTFRB Chairman also emphasized that overloading in public transportation is strictly prohibited as it risks the safety of all passengers on board.
“Let us take this opportunity to go home and reflect and assess ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. However, we also encourage our dear passengers to remain vigilant and observant of certain situations that they think may violate their rights as passengers,” he said.
“This is to ensure that they will travel safe and right and arrive at their destinations safe and sound,” he added.
Guadiz also reminded Filipinos to observe health protocols when commuting and to give priority to the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.
The country observes April 6 (Maundy Thursday) and April 7 (Good Friday) as holidays. There will be a long weekend as Monday, April 10, is also a holiday (Araw ng Kagitingan). John Ezekiel J. Hirro