Errant PUB drivers banned from driving starting March 9, 2020

MANILA: After meeting with bus operators and members of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has decided to implement a total driving ban on public utility bus (PUB) drivers with multiple traffic violations beginning this Monday, March 9.

“A representative from LTO will join our personnel at our Bus Management Dispatch offices to screen city bus drivers. They will not be dispatched if they are included in the list of habitual violators. Their driver’s license will be confiscated by LTO as MMDA is not allowed to do so. We are serious about this matter. It's about the time to suspend erring drivers with the alarming number of apprehensions," said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia.

MMDA dispatch offices are in Baclaran, Alabang, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Fairview.

The presence of LTO personnel and their deputized agents is required because as per Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines, only they are allowed to confiscate a driver’s license.

The law also states that a driver who commits at least three of the same violations in a 12-month period may be suspended from driving for at least one to two years.

Bus operators have agreed to cooperate with the MMDA in the clampdown on delinquent drivers, and this includes having them go through a retraining program before they get their driver’s license back.

Other officials present during the press conference are Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Col. Emmanuel Tabuena and LTO Law Enforcement Deputy Director Roberto Valera. It was also attended by representatives of city bus operators such as Pamana Transport and Samahang Transport Operators ng Pilipinas Inc.

Also read: LTO driver’s exam now available in English, Filipino, and local dialects