The Land Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Tuesday warned public utility vehicle or PUV drivers and operators from overloading their units with passengers in a bid to earn more amid rising fuel prices.

PUV drivers, according to the LTFRB, should always keep in mind the safety of the commuting public.

LTFRB chairman Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III issued the warning as he issued a show-cause order against a PUV operator when one of its units, a modern jeepney, was found to be overloaded.

The “overloading” was discovered when one of the jeepney’s passengers lost consciousness along Marcos Highway in Pasig City.

Overloading vehicles is dangerous not just in the event of road accidents, but also in terms of passengers unable to practice social distancing thereby exposing themselves to Covid-19, the LTFRB chief explained.

He reminded PUV operators and drivers that the country is still under a state of a national public health emergency.

“This means that PUVs should still observe proper distancing in terms of the number of passengers they can accommodate. Thus, overloading should not be allowed under any circumstance,” Guadiz said.

“Pandemic or not, overloading is dangerous and should not be practiced by PUV drivers just for them to earn money and meet their boundary. No amount of money can equate to the safety of passengers, especially now that Covid-19 is still here,” he added.

LTFRB ordered the operator of the allegedly overloaded jeepney — Easyway Serv and Multipurpose Cooperative — to explain why its Certificate of Public Convenience should not be revoked or suspended.

It mandated company officers to appear before the board on 16 February or be deemed to have waived an opportunity to be heard.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office said Tuesday that its field officers would be required to keep their body cameras on while they are on duty to prevent bribery.

LTO Executive Director Giovanni Lopez said they would implement the rule once they receive the body cameras with functioning audio.

“Accompanied by the hand-held device, we will also launch our body cameras and this time with functioning audio,” Lopez said.

Earlier this week, the LTO said it will begin using an automated handheld device to issue citation tickets to traffic violators.

Lopez noted that the LTO would accept cashless payments as part of Phase 2 of implementation.