Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday began posting “Bawal Bastos (Don’t be rude)” stickers on public vehicles at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) as part of its campaign to protect commuters from harassment.
LTFRB Technical Division Chief Joel Bolano led the posting of the stickers on Public Utility Buses (PUB), Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) and taxis at the terminal.
The stickers carry the 24/7 hotline of LTFRB, 1342, and the agency’s email complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph where incidents of harassment inside public utility vehicles (PUVs) can be reported.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd earlier led the launching of the memorandum circular for posting the stickers.
“Whether modernized or not, there is no place for any form of violence in our public vehicles,” Guadiz said.
“Your status in life or your gender will never be a license or permit to inflict violence on our commuters, operators, and drivers of public vehicles,” he said.
Under Memorandum Circular 2023-016 or the “Implementation of Safe Spaces Act involving Public Land Transportation Services,” the agency strongly condemns and prohibits any form of gender-based sexual harassment. This includes cursing, catcalling, wolf-whistling, and other misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, or sexist remarks.
The LTFRB reminded everyone that anyone who violates the memorandum and the Safe Spaces Act may be fined or penalized. — Alexandra J. Furio
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Credit belongs to: www.manilatimes.net
