Resumption of prov'l bus operations requires LGU approval, says Suansing

Several "challenges" have to be resolved first before provincial buses are allowed to resume operations, a senior consultant of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday.

According to DOTr senior consultant Alberto Suansing, there is still a need to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) and secure their approval for provincial buses to pass through their respective areas.

"...That has to be coordinated with Inter-Agency Task Force kasi may mga challenges pa diyan," he said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

The DOTr earlier announced a two-phased approach in the resumption of public transportation, where it said provincial buses are suspended until June 21.

"Alam niyo, 'yung mga bus dadaan 'yan sa mga LGUs, so 'yung pagpayag ng local LGU na 'yung bus ay dumaan sa kanilang lugar ay kinakailangan nating mangyari," said Suansing.

"Hangga't hindi nangyayari 'yon, that's also a coordination with DILG, the provincial bus operations will continue to be suspended," he pointed out.

The first phase of the resumption of public transportation which started on June 1 allowed trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles.

The second phase, which was initially scheduled to start on June 22, covered public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles or jeepneys, and UV Express.

"As far as Phase 2 is concerned, ini-implement na natin ngayon. Ang sabi ko nga, 28 bus routes na ang binuksan natin, so doon sa sinasabi nating bus routes, meron na tayong mga bus na tumatakbo," said Suansing. —LBG, GMA News