The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday announced that it has approved special permits for 847 passenger bus units to accommodate travelers during the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days exodus.

LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the special permits will cover 124 routes in Metro Manila and Luzon—most of them to and from bus terminals and transport hubs in the National Capital Region.

“These additional buses will make up for the travel of more passengers on their way to respective provinces to pay respect to their departed loved ones. We will continue to assess and monitor the situation on the ground as early as next week when our kababayan start to travel to their hometowns,” Mendoza said.

“In approving the special permits, it comes with an obligation to the bus companies to ensure the road worthiness of their units and the physical and mental readiness of their drivers and conductors at all times,” he added.

Of the approved units, 189 will serve the Metro Manila–Southern Luzon routes (Calabarzon and Mimaropa); 491 will operate between Metro Manila and Northern Luzon; and 67 units will cover the Metro Manila–Bicol Region routes.

A total of 18 additional buses were approved for the Metro Manila–Eastern Visayas route; 21 for Metro Manila–Western Visayas; and five for Mindanao-bound trips from Manila. Another 56 buses were approved for other areas in Luzon that do not cover Metro Manila routes.

“Your LTFRB is ready to ensure the road worthiness of all PUV units and the employees of the transport companies, particularly drivers and conductors. We will conduct regular and surprise inspections,” Mendoza said.

The Undas exodus is expected to begin this weekend, with some schools declaring a wellness break starting 27 October. Mendoza earlier directed all regional directors to inspect bus terminals and transport stations in their respective areas to ensure passenger comfort and safety.

In compliance with the order of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, the LTFRB recently penalized 22 units from two bus companies for operating illegal terminals.

“We will continue to make our presence felt in transport hubs and on the roads in coordination with other government agencies. This is a whole-of-government approach to ensure the safety of all travelers for Undas,” Mendoza said.

He added that the measure is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure passenger safety and comfort during the holiday period.