LTFRB to Schools: Use Accredited Bus Companies for Field Trips

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded school administrators to use only accredited bus companies and transport services when taking students out on field trips and other off-campus activities.

This is designed to uphold the safety of students, because accredited transport services are required to meet transportation standards before they are allowed to ferry passengers to their destinations.

In addition, LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada said that the Department of Education should be more specific with the type of vehicle that schools are allowed to use for their students.

"Ang kinakailangang gamitin diyan ay one, tourist bus," Lizada said. "Meron din tayong tinatawag na tourist transport shuttles, these are the tourist vans. Ito, sila they can go anywhere in the Philippines." ("Only one type of bus should be used, a tourist bus," Lizada said. "There's also what's called as tourist transport shuttles, these are the tourist vans. These can go anywhere in the Philippines.)

Lizada also reminded school administrators to ask the bus companies for their franchising, insurance, and other such documents that relate to their accreditation. A contract should also be created between the school and transport service stating the legal obligations of the latter.

"You are delegating to that bus company that responsibility that you owe to the children, to the children’s parents," Lizada elaborated.

She also reiterated the importance of having the buses inspected by either school officials or a representative from the LTFRB.

“We look at the bus itself. Wala pang butas, the glasses are not broken. We also check the driver’s license ng driver na magmamaneho, professional ba?" Lizada questioned. She emphasized that commercial buses should not be used by schools, as these are for public transport. ("We look at the bus itself. There are no holes, the glasses are not broken. We also check if the driver's license of the driver, is it a professional driver's license?")

“You do not use regular buses unless meron silang application sa amin for special permit. Kung kukuha kayong regular bus at wala po silang permit, ito po ay colorum,” Lizada said. ("You do not use regular buses unless they have an application for a special permit with us. If you're going to get a regular bus and they don't have a permit, then it is illegal."

When apprehended, colorum buses face penalties of up to three months impounding and a fine that can amount to PHP1 million.