Region 2 opens borders to inter-regional routes

By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya --The Bambang Integrated Terminal Hub (BITH) at Barangay Calaocan here has started to open operations to passenger buses bound for Metro Manila. 

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Director Edward Cabase, along with Mayor Pepito Balgos, Vice Mayor Glen Allas, among others witnessed the arrival of Victory buses Thursday with passengers subjected to Covid-19 protocols.
    The Victory Liner started its daily trips from the BITH as part of the opening of the Inter-Regional Routes for Transportation by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to combat Covid-19.

"However, we will strictly monitor their proper compliance with health protocols in partnership with the BITH management and the host local government unit. We will see to it that the safety and security of our passengers and bus crew are ensured from the threat of the Covid-19," he said.

Alex Briones, operations manager of Victory bus in Cagayan Valley, cited the LTFRB for initiating reopening of inter-regional operations of passenger buses and vowed to implement minimum health protocols among passengers.

The reopening of the routes would make employees, specifically drivers and conductors, could go back to work, he said.

"In fact, we will not allow passengers to do things that will put every passenger in danger of being infected with Covid-19," he said in a telephone interview.

Other three bus corporations such as EMC, Florida and Five Star have also signified their commitment to cater to passengers bound for provinces within Cagayan Valley and to other regions on a daily basis according to Cabase. 

Updates on resumption of the operations of the other three bus corporations would be bared later by the bureau, the riding public were advised. -- PIA-2 Nueva Vizcaya