Manila, Philippines – In the ongoing Nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAWC) and Gender and Development (GAD) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), it has further intensified its campaign against violence against women riding public transport vehicles.
This is also in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, and the leadership of LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II to prioritize programs that will help protect women and children.
Continuing the program, various activities were conducted by the agency’s branches, in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, a Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) session was successfully conducted for agency officials, which was attended by operators, drivers, and conductors from various transport groups.
Leaflets and tarpaulins were distributed by LTFRB MIMAROPA under the leadership of Regional Director Enrico Moreno R. Bautista at various public transport terminals in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The program is not just for women, the agency recently conducted Safe Ride Education for Children (LTFRB GENDER-BASED AWARENESS PROGRAM) for Grade 4 learners at Marbel 8 Elementary School.
The program discussed the importance and rights of children riding public transportation, proper safety practices, and how to seek help in case they experience harassment, abuse, or unsafe situations on public transportation.
Following this, the LTFRB also launched a “BAWAL ANG BASTOS, SCAN TO REPORT” or QR code that can report if they experience any abuse on public transportation.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB is expected to finish reviewing all applications for special permits for passenger buses, following the expected influx of travelers this coming Holiday Season.
This is to protect women from the influx of passengers returning home to their families to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
The special permits will be implemented from December 15, 2025 to January 16, 2026.
The 18-Day Campaign is an annual advocacy campaign by the LTFRB that aims to strengthen and protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of women.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News