LTFRB tightens measures vs. colorum buses during Undas

To thwart "colorum" or illegal bus operators, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) added security features on the special permits it grants to bus operators for "Undas" (All Saints' and All Souls' Days). LTFRB Management and Information Division head Nida Quibic said security features were added to the special permits that allow buses to ply routes outside their regular routes from October 30 to November 6. The permits are issued to cope with the high volume of passengers travelling to their home provinces for Undas. Quibic said the measures aim to prevent colorum bus operators from using fake permits. "Para (ito) makasiguro ang ating commuters na ang sasakyan nilang bus lehitimo, hindi siya colorum," Quibic said in an interview aired on dzBB radio early Tuesday. As of last weekend, more than 150 bus operators had applied for special permits for 604 buses. However, the LTFRB said not all the applications may be granted as the bus firms will have to be inspected and their safety records evaluated. ll Souls' Day, November 2, is a Catholic feast day for remembering the dead. However, millions of Filipinos start flocking to cemeteries as early as November 1, All Saints' Day, also a Catholic feast for honoring all saints, both those who are known and the unknown. Many Filipinos even start visiting cemeteries on Halloween (also known as All Hallows' Eve), October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day (previously called All Hallows' Day). - VVP, GMA News