LTFRB on a roll as they approve blockbuster routes in Luzon and Mindanao, in time for Christmas

If you think of travelling to Baguio, Victory Liner immediately comes to mind.
Photo: Julius Angeles / Team PBPA (September 2019) 

     The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) presented a wonderful Christmas gift for provincial travellers from around Luzon and Mindanao as they approved the resumption of more provincial bus routes, many of them to key cities in the Philippines, this past week.

    Memorandum Circulars 2020-051 E, F, G, and H, released from December 18 to 22, adds around a dozen more routes to the ever-growing list of transport options available to those living in the provinces, especially in Northern and Central Luzon. Many of these routes were targeted to resume on December 24, in time for Christmas celebrations.

    As with all other resumed provincial routes, all buses to Metro Manila will now terminate at designated common terminals, and all operators still need to secure their buses' QR codes which will serve as their special permits.

    Unlike previous instances, operators are now wiser and more prepared for the potential resumption of operations. Victory Liner, for instance, had already announced their imminent return to Baguio City, a major tourist destination and one of VLI's largest hub.

    Passengers are still reminded to follow health and quarantine protocols before boarding. Actual requirements vary by LGU, but the most basic requirements include the proper wearing of face mask and face shields, filling out a health declaration form, temperature checks, and undertaking to proceed to a quarantine facility should the local government require to. Because many of these routes have stricter health protocols than the rest of the country, travel authorities may required to be able to board.

The routes to resume are the following:
(click on the bus company's name to direct to their Facebook pages. Check their pages for actual date of resumption)

Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. is one of the leading bus companies in Northern Mindanao.
Photo: Nathan Tuquib

MINDANAO (2020-051E)

1. Cagayan de Oro - Davao
    operated by Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. and Bachelor Express, Inc.

Partas dominates the Ilocandia corridor, with bases in Vigan, Laoag, and Pagudpud.
Photo: Julius Angeles / Team PBPA (September 2019)

NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON TO METRO MANILA (2020-051F)

Region I

1. Candon Ilocos Sur - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Sta. Lucia Express Bus Co., Inc. and Candon Bus Line

2. Vigan Ilocos Sur - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Mencorp Transport System, Inc. (Dominion), Partas Transportation Co., Inc., and Viron Transportation Co., Inc

Dalin JD is a homegrown company in Isabela, and the locals have taken to love their service.
Photo: Roi Estanislao / Team PBPA (November 2020)

Region II

 1. Santiago Isabela - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by GV Florida Transport Inc., Pangasinan Five Star Bus Co., Inc., Dalin JD Transport Inc., and Victory Liner, Inc.

2. Solano Nueva Vizcaya - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Pangasinan Five Star Bus Co. Inc.

Commuters from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija knows New RL Transport best.
Photo: Jack Schmidt / Team PBPA (2018)

Region III

1. San Antonio Nueva Ecija - Valenzuela Gateway Complex
    operated by Baliwag Transit, Inc., Pangasinan Five Star Bus Co., Inc., and New RL Transport Corp.

Genesis' Baguio-Mariveles route is quite popular and busy.
Photo: Julius Angeles / Team PBPA (April 2019)

NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON INTER-REGIONAL ROUTE (2020-051G)

1. Baguio - Mariveles Bataan
    operated by Genesis Transport Service Inc

2. Baguio - Olongapo
    operated by Victory Liner Inc

Bigger buses are slowly dominating the crucial Baguio and Laoag routes,
such as this bus of North Genesis. Photo: Julius Angeles / Team PBPA (September 2019)

NORTHERN LUZON ROUTE TO METRO MANILA (2020-051H)
1. Baguio - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Victory Liner Inc., Genesis Transport Service, Inc., North Genesis Bus Line, Inc. Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines, Inc.

2. Laoag Ilocos Norte - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Partas Transportation Co., Inc., GV Florida Transport Inc., Maria de Leon Trans Co., Inc., Sta. Lucia Express Bus Co., Inc., Transportpro Services, Inc., and Viron Transportation Co., Inc.

3. Pagudpud Ilocos Norte - North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) Bocaue Bulacan
    operated by Partas Transportation Co., Inc.

Reminders
1. Always wear a face mask and face shield at all times

2. No eating and drinking inside PUBs

3. Get your tickets 2 days in advance for long-haul trips

4. For essential workers, always bring your company ID.
For non-essential workers and locally-stranded individuals, always bring a proof of residence.

5. Make sure your documents are complete before travelling. If in doubt, coordinate with the nearest police station for your travel authority and health center for your medical certificate.