MANILA, Philippines — In anticipation of the surge of travelers this Christmas, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday issued 956 special permits to public utility vehicles or PUVs.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said 988 PUV operators applied for special permits, which will be valid beginning today until Jan. 10, 2025.

According to Guadiz, the granting of special permits to PUVs is important in maintaining efficient public transportation for commuters during the holiday rush.

He said the LTFRB accepts applications for special permits for PUVs including buses to accommodate more travelers to and from the provinces.

Meanwhile, a group of tricycle drivers bewailed the increase of motorcycle taxis operating in Metro Manila and other areas.

The National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines (NACTODAP) said the earnings of tricycle drivers have dropped to P300 per day from P700.

NACTODAP national president Ariel Lim slammed the LTFRB for approving the operation of more motorcycle taxi companies in Calabarzon and Central Luzon.

In the initial six months of video conferencing—from May to October 2020—more than 100,000 hearings were conducted, with an average success rate of 88%, according to Marquez. As the courts adapted to the system, the success rate eventually climbed to 95%.

Lim asked the LTFRB to stop accrediting more motorcycle taxis, adding that the agency failed to consult stakeholders prior to its decision to expand motorcycle taxi operations outside Metro Manila.

He said small tricycle drivers and operators may be forced to bring their grievances to Malacañang if the LTFRB would not address their concern.

Lim said NACTODAP has no plan to request for a fare increase from local government units so as not to burden workers with additional transportation cost.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Tricycle Franchising Board founding chairman Jopet Sison urged the government to develop a national transport plan to ensure a systematic approach in managing motorcycle taxi operations.

Sison said motorcycle taxi operations should be properly regulated and monitored so that other passenger transport options80jili,, such as tricycles, would not suffer.