The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has introduced a new requirement boosting road safety in the public transport sector. Under Memorandum Circular 2024-040, the LTFRB mandates comprehensive road safety training for all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors as a condition for franchise renewal.
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd said the training program is designed to reduce road accidents involving PUVs, ensuring drivers are equipped with essential knowledge of traffic laws and safety procedures. The training will include road safety lectures, psychological evaluations to assess drivers’ fitness, and basic first aid and life support education.
The program, which will be implemented gradually, will begin with Metro Manila’s bus and truck drivers, expanding to include UVs, jeepneys, motorcycle taxis, and TNVS by the second year. A P2,000 enrollment fee will apply, and the training will range from two to eight days. Upon completion, drivers and conductors will receive a certificate, which will be electronically transmitted to the LTFRB.
The LTFRB will also establish monitoring systems to ensure PUV operators comply with the new regulation, prioritizing the professionalism and safety of public transport services. This initiative comes in response to alarming road crash statistics, with the MMDA reporting thousands of incidents annually, many resulting in injuries and fatalities.
This development underscores the growing regulatory emphasis on road safety in the transport sector and its potential to improve public service for Filipino commuters.
