MANILA, Philippines – Mayors in Metro Manila are set to meet on Sunday, April 25, to discuss their recommendation for the next quarantine status of the National Capital Region (NCR), Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairperson and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said.

In a radio interview on Friday, Olivarez said they would deliberate on their recommendation, as well as the COVID-19 situation in each local government unit (LGU) in the NCR with representatives from the Department of Health.

Metro Manila and four nearby provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal have been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until April 30 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Olivarez said their recommendation on whether to extend or lift the MECQ will be based on data from LGUs in the NCR.

The MMC chief assured they will evaluate the matter thoroughly as it involves 16 cities and one municipality in the region.

MANILA, Philippines — The central office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as well as its regional office in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be closed until April 26.

The announcement was to give way for the swab testing of employees in the said LTFRB offices.

This means no transactions will be entertained in these offices until April 26 except for submission of applications in the receiving section of the agency’s Technical Division.

The public is advised to transact online or forward their concerns through e-mail messaging.

The following are transactions that can be processed online:
1. Request for Special Permit at Correction of Typographical Error: online.td@ltfrb@gov.ph
2. Request for Confirmation of Unit/s at Request for Franchise Verification: online.ismd@ltfrb.gov.ph
3. Request for Issuance or Extension Provisional Authority: legal@ltfrb.gov.ph
4. Legal Concerns/Query (Hearing Schedule and Status): legalconcerns@ltfrb.gov.ph
5. Information Systems Management Division (ISMD): ismd@ltfrb.gov.ph
6. Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program National Project Management Office (PUVMP-NPMO): puvmptechnical.ltfrbco@gmail.com

For inquiries regarding transactions with LTFRB-NCR, the public may direct their concerns to the agency’s Public Transport Online Processing System (P-TOPS) which can be accessed on the LTFRB’s official website www.ltfrb.gov.ph.

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reported that 43 private vehicles have been impounded during the agency’s anti-colorum drive.

LTFRB Executive Director Joel Bolano on Friday (April 16) reported that as of April 12, 43 units have been impounded for unauthorized operations.

He also reminded the public not to hire services from colorum units especially if the implemented health and safety protocols are not followed.

“Huwag pumatol sa mga colorum. Hindi po nasusunod ang ating health protocols. Baka sa kagustuhan po nating makauwi, iyong pasalubong na ating maiwuuwi ay virus. Wala rin po silang insurance na pwedeng sumagot. Ang mga public utility ay mayroon passenger accident insurance. Sana po sundan natin ang mga patakaran pagdating sa public transport (Let us not hire colorum units. They may not be following health protocols. Due to our desire to go home, we might bring home the virus instead. [These colorum] also do not have any insurance. Our public utility has what we call passenger accident insurance. I hope we follow the rules when it comes to public transport),” he said.

Meanwhile, the agency admits there is a challenge in monitoring PUVs when it comes to following the 50% limited capacity.

Bolano said they are coordinating with various government agencies to make sure health protocols, as well as limited capacity in public transport, are implemented. AAC