March 29, 2024

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force (MIATF) has decided to allow the operations of provincial buses plying from the town to outside province.

However, the MIATF headed by Mayor Franklin Odsey emphasized that the resumption of the operations of provincial buses must still be with the strict enforcement of health protocols and subject to the guidelines imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board. 

Odsey said two provincial bus companies have already signified their intent for the resumption of their operations. These are the D’Rising Sun Transport System plying the Bontoc-Baguio route and CODA Lines Corporation plying the Bontoc-Cubao (Quezon City) route.

Odsey said that he endorsed the bus companies to the LTFRB-Cordillera to be allowed to resume operations.

The mayor added that the entry and exit of individuals in the municipality will also be monitored through the Passenger Manifest to be submitted by the bus operator.

He added that the document will help in the conduct of effective and efficient contact tracing, should it be needed. 

Based on Memorandum Circular 51-2020 of the Department of Transportation-LTFRB, operators of provincial routes must ensure that their units are registered, with valid Personal Passenger Insurance Policy, and must be equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System to ensure that the units’ movement is monitored. 

Prior to boarding at terminals, passengers must present a travel authority issued by the Philippine National Police within 48 hours before departure; valid ID as proof of residency and place of origin, age, and workplace or school; written consent to undergo Covid-19 testing and/or quarantine as may be required by the local government unit at the point of origin or destination; and other documents as may be required by the IATF and LGU guidelines. 

The guidelines imposed by Bontoc for those who will come home or enter the municipality remain.

Those coming from outside Mountain Province must secure a travel authority from the local PNP of their point of origin and updated medical clearance from the local heath office/unit of their point of origin; secure a certificate of acceptance from the Bontoc MIATF; submit themselves for triage at the basement of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol; and complete the 14-day self-quarantine. 

While the Bontoc MIATF has allowed the resumption of operations of provincial buses, tourism activities for those coming outside the town are still suspended. – Alpine L. Killa