With millions of Filipinos traveling for the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered all its regional directors to immediately respond to the concerns and complaints of commuters, especially those coursed through the LTFRB hotline.

The LTFRB hotline, 0956-761-0739, was further strengthened in line with the instruction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to maximize government services to the Filipino people.

LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said there is a need for the agency to be more responsive and act quickly on complaints from commuters, since these often relate to road safety and the discipline of drivers.

Earlier, a bus company and its driver were summoned by the LTFRB after allegedly trying to evade accountability when their vehicle sideswiped another in Quezon City. The complaint was immediately acted upon by Mendoza as soon as it was received.

“Babaguhin natin ang lumang sistema na ang tagal o kung minsan ay hindi naaksyunan ang mga reklamo ng ating mga ordinaryong kababayang commuters. Hindi na ito puwede sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas,” Mendoza said. (“We will change the old system where complaints from ordinary commuters take too long or are sometimes not addressed at all. That will no longer be acceptable under Bagong Pilipinas.”)

“Through our LTFRB hotline, we will be able to show the Filipino people that we are more responsive to their complaints and concerns. We in the LTFRB should use this platform to showcase what the men and women of the agency can do in the service of the Filipino people,” he added.

Mendoza also committed to personally monitor each regional office’s compliance in resolving complaints received via the LTFRB hotline and other platforms. He said this directive is timely, given the expected increase in travel during Undas.

However, Mendoza emphasized that responsiveness should not only apply during long weekends. He assured the public that the LTFRB will remain proactive in addressing commuter concerns at all times.

Mendoza also urged the public to report abusive public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers through the LTFRB hotline.

“Our efforts to ensure the safety of all road users always start with the trust and confidence of the people — that the national government, through the DOTr and LTFRB, will be responsive to their complaints and will not fail them,” he said.