LTFRB taps bus, trucker groups to transport relief goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has tapped bus and truckers groups to speed up the delivery of relief goods to the areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez on Wednesday met with bus transport and truck operators to map out plans how to quickly transport the goods in the Visayas, Mindanao and Central Luzon regions affected by the recent destruction of Yolanda.

Among the bus and truck operators that have agreed to provide units to bring goods from designated ports in the metropolis to the affected areas include the Philippine Bus Operators Association of the Philippines, DLTB, Philtranco, Genesis, Titan Bus, Santrans, Cerex, Metro Bus, among others.

The LTFRB's move came following the directive from the Department of Transportation and Communications to find the best mode to transport relief goods to typhoon victims.

"Starting this Wednesday, public buses and trucks will be deployed to designated calamity stricken areas. Nakipag-ugnayan na po kami sa mga bus operators natin para tumulong sa relief operations," Ginez said.

During the meeting, bus operators were instructed to arrange transportation from various pick up points of relief goods and medical volunteers such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport , North Harbor and Department of Social Welfare and Development centers in Metro Manila.

The personnel of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will be acting as coordinators in requesting public buses and trucks to proceed to the designated pick up points to transport relief goods and medical volunteers.

From these ports and centers, the bus will be loaded in RORO (roll on, roll off) vessels that have routes going to Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Legaspi, Butuan, and Davao.

From these locations, the bus will find the most accessible way to transport the volunteers and deliver the relief goods to local government units for distribution and deployment to affected areas.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga bus operators na nag-offer ng kanilang mga units para makarating ang mga pagkain, gamot at iba pang pangangailangan ng ating mga mamayang naapektuhan ng dahil kay Yolanda," Ginez added.

After the relief goods are delivered, RORO bus operators will either be giving discounted fares or free of charge to allow residents of affected areas, particularly in Leyte, Samar, Cebu and Davao, leave ‘ground zero’ until situation returns to normal condition.

The bus units will be deployed in the affected areas starting Wednesday after Department of Public Works and Highways has declared that roads have become passable.

Affected residents will now have the opportunity to immediately leave the area to join their families and relatives in safer areas, Ginez said.