By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II inspected on Saturday (Oct. 18) several bus terminals in Bacolod City, signaling a regionwide start of surprise and random inspections on transport terminals and public utility vehicles as part of the safety measures for the All Saints’ and All Souls Days on Nov. 1 and 2.
Among those inspected were the Ceres North Bus Terminal and the Bacolod North Bound Terminal in Bacolod City.
“We want to make sure that all these transportation companies are really complying with the guidelines set by the LTFRB to ensure the convenience of the passengers,” Chairman Mendoza said.
“Palapit na ng palapit ang Undas at napakarami sa ating mga kababayan ang magbi-biyahe na naman. This early, tinutugunan na natin yung usual na mga reklamo sa mga bus terminals,” Mendoza added.
From the waiting areas to comfort rooms, Mendoza inspected them at the two major bus terminals in Bacolod City and he warned that the surprise inspections will be done regularly.
After assuming the top LTFRB post on Oct. 10, Mendoza immediately hit the ground running by ordering all the agency’s Regional Directors to start conducting inspections on all bus and other transport terminals in preparation for the influx of passengers for the Undas.
All bus companies and transport operators were also instructed to make sure that their respective terminals and stations are safe and comfortable for their passengers.
Aside from the facilities, Mendoza also assured that all buses and other public transport vehicles are safe—from the vehicles to the drivers and conductors— to ensure that passengers will go to their destinations safe and comfortable.
In the same visit, Mendoza took a passenger jeepney in line with the instruction of DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez to all the department’s executives to take public transport for them to personally experience and later come up with recommendations on how to address public transportation problems.
Mendoza said that he expects all LTFRB Regional Directors to do the same and in the meantime, he said that the focus is the preparations for Undas through the RDs’ personal inspections that will be done regularly.
“Hindi lang tuwing Undas o Mahal na Araw o Pasko. Regular na dapat ginagawa ang inspection para sa ikakabuti ng ating mga pasahero,” Mendoza said.
To ensure compliance, Mendoza said that they will be deploying mystery passengers nationwide to check on the condition of bus stations and transport terminals starting Oct. 24.
Mendoza also warned transport companies of consequences if they fail to attend to the basic needs of their passengers. ###
