LTFRB allows campaign ads on PUVs

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB) on Tuesday said campaign advertisements will be allowed in public utility vehicles (PUVs) as long as they comply with requirements set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

According to the LTFRB, political ads can be displayed on public utility jeepneys (PUJs), public utility buses (PUBs), and taxis.

These ads should also pass the standard requirements and guidelines in the processing, approval, and issuance of permit on transit advertisement set by LTFRB through Memorandum Circular 2013-005.

The said memorandum was modified through Memorandum Circular 2015-029, which removes the Comelec prohibition of political ads on public utility vehicles.

Those who want to mount their advertisements in (PUVs) must apply for a permit and pay the required fees, the LTFRB said.

The general rules on PUV advertisement are as follows:

a. Transit advertisement shall neither constitute a traffic hazard nor compromise the safety, comfort and convenience of passengers and the public, in general;

b. Transit advertisement must not impede, limit or obstruct in any way the driver's line of sight;

c. All advertising matters to be installed shall conform to the standards relative to morality, decency and public safety, in accordance with but not limited to, government regulations and the Code of Ethics of the Ad Standards Council;

d. Required PUV identification and operational information shall not be hindered. Specifications of mandatory markings including, but not limited to, company and/or trade name, lcense plate, body number, "May Reklamo ka ba? Itawag sa LTFRB hotline 0921-448-7777, 426-2515", City or Provincial mode of operation, designation, authorized route, mandated by previous Memorandum Circulars shall not be reduced, diminished, or obscured;

e. It is understood that all transit advertising materials shall be installed in such a manner as not to cover the trade name, the license plate number and body number of the vehicle, or make it any difficult for the riding public to identify the bus;

f. No transit advertising permit shall be granted to units with expired franchises even with application for extension of validity of CPC, and to suspend units even with motion to lift order of suspension.

Like regular campaign posters, political ads should also comply with the Comelec regulations on sizes of campaign materials: stickers should be no larger than 8.5x11 inches, and posters 2x3 feet. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News