MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved more than 600 special permits to bus companies to travel out-of-line to have sufficient trips to provinces during Holy Week break.
In a radio interview, LTFRB Executive Director Roberto Cabrera III said that as of last Saturday, the board has already issued 667 special permits to bus companies in time for Lent.
He said the board is expecting the number to reach as much as 750 permits.
"As of last year, mas marami ang ilalabas na (special) permit this year and maaga kaming magsimula ngayon," Cabrera added.
He, however, assured the public that the board will be thorough in inspecting the road worthiness of the buses, excluding units that have been phased out.
The board has not granted special permits to 400 units of the 1,000 units that have applied.