Kudos to LTFRB

Senior citizens are thankful to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for its effort to implement the law giving priority to seniors, persons with disability (PWDs) and pregnant women in buses.

The LTFRB has compelled bus companies and operators to implement Republic Act 967 and Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 to reserve seats in public utility vehicles for senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women.

As the public relations officer of the Sorrento Senior Citizens Association inPanapaan IV of Bacoor City, I had sent letters to LTFRB asking to implement the law. The LTFRB acted immediately and held a consultative meeting with bus owners.

The meeting resulted in giving priority to those concerned in bus terminals. Senior citizens and others ride first.

However, conductors of buses on travel ignore the law. They allow young and able-bodied passengers occupy the reserved seats. The conductors seemed not aware of the law and don’t offer the reserved seats for those concerned and leave them standing among the passengers.

After narrating situation to the LTFRB letters were sent to bus companies. Conductors and drivers now remind young and able-bodied passengers not to occupy reserved seats.

Many provincial buses particularly in Cavite which ignore the law previously are now implementing it.

Particularly commendable are those with the Cavite Batangas Transport Services who show their concern for senior citizens by offering the reserved seats and reminding other passengers not occupy them. Examples are conductor Donato Dingo Jr. and driver Efren Oliveros who said they know the law and it is just right to give seats to senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women. –Leonardo Canta, Camella Sorrento, Bacoor, Cavite