Legal basis, amendments, and coverage change
- Section 5 (k) of Executive Order No. 202 empowers the LTFRB to formulate, promulgate, administer, implement, and enforce rules and regulations on land transportation public utilities.
- The circular clarifies and reviews the LTFRB’s existing policy contained in LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2003-032, which previously set guidelines for the issuance of Special Permits limited only to some modes of transport services.
- The circular establishes updated guidelines that will govern issuance of Special Permits for special trips across transport modes.
- Any other issuances inconsistent with the circular are deemed modified or superseded accordingly.
Purpose and policy statement
- The LTFRB issues the circular to clarify policies and ensure consistent interpretation and application for the issuance of Special Permits.
- The LTFRB issues the circular to serve the best interest of the riding public.
- The circular addresses the observation that other transport services are also being sought for special trips.
Definition and scope of Special Permits
- A Special Permit is required to authorize special trips under the covered categories of special occasions/activities and special holidays, subject to the conditions and prohibitions in the circular.
- Special Permits for special occasions or activities cover all modes of transport services except Truck-for-Hire Service.
- Special Permits for special holidays cover only Public Utility Bus Service.
- The LTFRB may issue Special Permits for contingencies for public convenience and protection, and the LTFRB determines the contingencies.
Special Permit during special occasions or activities
- A Special Permit during special occasions or activities covers all modes of transport services except Truck-for-Hire Service.
- In the application, the applicant must specify the purpose of the trip, such as excursions, attendance to seminars, or family trip/festivity, and must specify the origin and destination points.
- The Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of the unit intended to be used must be valid during the period covered by the Special Permit, or an Extension of Validity must have been duly filed.
- The CPC of the unit intended to be used must not be suspended at the time of filing and during the period covered by the Special Permit.
- If the proposed route enters or traverses Metro Manila, the application must be filed at the Central Office.
- The duration of the special trip must have a maximum of three (3) days.
- The LTFRB may deny the application if approval would result in abandonment of route or insufficiency of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the authorized route.
- The application must be filed at least a day before the intended trip.
- Documentary requirements to be submitted upon filing include:
- Duly accomplished Request Form
- Franchise Verification
- Copy of a Valid Government-Issued Identification Card with photograph of applicant (Driver’s License, SSS, PAG-IBIG, BIR, PhilHealth, Postal, Voter’s ID, valid Passport)
- Copy of CR/OR of authorized unit/s, currently registered
- Copy of Passenger Accident Insurance Coverage
- Copy of Notarized Contract or Memorandum of Agreement or Affidavit of Operator stating the purpose of special permit
- Additional requirements apply depending on the applicant:
- For Cooperatives: copies of the Board Resolution authorizing the application; and the Board Resolution authorizing the representative to file the petition, follow-up, receive order, and sign papers to realize the matters.
- For Corporations: copies of the Board Resolution authorizing the application; and a Board Resolution/Secretary’s Certificate of authorized representative/s.
- The authorized unit/s must display a signboard bearing the description “SPECIAL PERMIT” in bold letters with a size of at least six (6) inches in height and three (3) inches in width.
- The driver must always carry the original copies of the Special Permit and the receipt of payment during the trip.
- During the trip, the driver is prohibited to pick up or drop off paying passengers along the way.
Special Permit during special holidays
- A Special Permit during special holidays covers only Public Utility Bus Service.
- This type of special trip is granted only for holidays specifically identified in the circular.
- The application must be filed at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the duration of the Special Permit.
- If the proposed route will originate or enter Metro Manila, the application must be filed at the Central Office and decided by the Board.
- The CPC of the unit/s intended to be used must be valid during the period covered by the Special Permit, or an Extension of Validity must be duly filed.
- The CPC of the unit/s intended to be used must not be suspended at the time of filing and during the period covered by the Special Permit.
- The proposed unit/s must not be more than ten (10) years old.
- The fare must be the authorized fare on the applied route.
- The application must indicate the specific address of the terminals at both ends of the applied route.
- The duration of the Special Permit is determined by the holiday:
- Holy Week: from Palm Sunday to the day after Easter Sunday
- All Saints Day: from October 30 to November 3
- Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha: from 2 days before to a day after the feasts of celebration
- Christmas Season: from December 23 to January 3
- National Elections: from 2 days before to 2 days after elections; use of PUBs is subject to the guidelines promulgated by the Commission on Elections
- The Board may deny the application if approval would result in abandonment of route or insufficiency of PUVs in the authorized route.
- Documentary requirements upon filing include:
- Duly accomplished Request Form
- Franchise Verification
- Copy of a Valid Government-Issued Identification Card with photograph of applicant (Driver’s License, SSS, PAG-IBIG, BIR, PhilHealth, Postal, Voter’s ID, valid Passport)
- Copy of CR/OR of authorized unit/s, currently registered
- Copy of Passenger Accident Insurance Coverage
- Additional requirements apply depending on the applicant:
- For Cooperatives: Board Resolution authorizing application; and Board Resolution authorizing the representative to file petition, follow-up, receive order, and sign papers.
- For Corporations: Board Resolution authorizing application; and Board Resolution/Secretary’s Certificate of authorized representative/s.
- The driver must always carry the original copies of the Special Permit and the receipt of payment during the trip.
Special Permits for contingencies and emergencies
- The Board may issue Special Permits for any contingency that may happen for the convenience and protection of the public.
- The Board alone determines what contingencies qualify for issuance.
- No Special Permit is needed if PUVs are used during emergency cases (e.g., passenger-patient needs immediate medical assistance) or during calamities for purposes to evacuate people or to transport goods to and from areas of calamities.
Penalties, sanctions, and effect of inconsistency
- Any operator found violating the circular is penalized under Item IV, No. 1 (Modes of Colorum Operation) of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-001 and other existing issuances.
- Any issuance inconsistent with the circular is deemed modified or superseded accordingly.