MANILA — The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) on Thursday morning apprehended 71 public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Manila, under its “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” (TBTU) campaign to flag down road-unworthy public transport.
In its advisory, I-ACT said 48 PUVs were issued traffic violation tickets for defective parts, 15 were impounded, while eight were caught smoke belching during its operations in Sampaloc, Manila.
“We have issued summons to around 1,250 PUVs since the ‘Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok’ campaign was launched last week,” I-ACT communications head Elmer Argano said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured that the government will deploy alternative modes of transportation for stranded commuters who might be affected by the ongoing campaign.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) buses traversing the route of Welcome Rotonda-Espana-Quiapo-Taft to Vito Cruz are slated to be deployed starting Thursday afternoon, LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said.
The PCG has likewise designated trucks that will ferry commuters who might be stranded.
Various city bus operators have also committed to deploy seven to eight buses, while the LTFRB has coordinated with Manila’s city government to provide 20 multicabs.
“We will be operating but we will have buses on standby for the next operations. We are getting cue from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Highway Patrol Group as well, kung saan may maapektuhan na stranded passengers (We are getting cue from the MMDA and HPG as well to determine where the stranded passengers are located),” Lizada said.
“As we do TBTU, we see there are inconveniences to the commuters, drivers and operators. Rest assured that we will address them immediately,” she added.
She also said the campaign received positive reception from jeepney drivers as this led to the reduction of illegally franchised or “colorum” PUVs. (PNA)
