LTFRB issues memorandum vs sexual harassment in PUVs

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will now penalize operators, drivers, conductors, and employees who commit sexual harassment in public utility vehicles (PUV).

In a statement on Monday, the LTFRB cited the Safe Spaces Act that addresses “gender-based sexual harassment" in the streets, public places, cyberspace, workplaces, and schools.

LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2023-016 and the Safe Spaces Act penalize swearing, catcalling, lewd and sexist comments, actions mocking genders, remarks interfering with a person's private life, and sexual jokes, among others.

For the first offense, PUV workers involved in these acts may face a P5,000 fine and six-month suspension of their vehicle’s operation, the LTFRB said.

For the second offense, they may face a P10,000 fine and one year suspension of their vehicle.

For the third offense, violators may face a P15,000 fine and revocation of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of their vehicle.

If PUV workers failed to report a sexual harassment incident to authorities, they will have to pay P5,000 fine for the first offense, according to the LTFRB.

For the second offense, PUV workers will face a P10,000 fine and three-month suspension of their vehicle.

For the third offense, they will have to pay a P15,000 fine and revocation of the CPC of their vehicle.

The LTFRB said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) may also suspend or cancel the license of the driver who commits sexual harassment under the Safe Spaces Act.

Under the memorandum, PUV operators are also ordered to display in two conspicuous places inside their vehicles a signage like “BAWAL ANG BASTOS!” (LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2023-016), and “ISUMBONG SA LTFRB! 24/7 Hotline: 1342 Email: complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph" in a format set by the LTFRB.

Ignoring this instruction is a violation of the guidelines and conditions of the CPC. Penalties under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 will be imposed, according to the LTFRB. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News