LTFRB cracks down vs. harassment in public transport

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday launched its nationwide campaign against violence and sexual harassment in public areas, especially in public transportation.

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said the campaign is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 2023-016 or the “Implementation of Safe Spaces Act involving Public Land Transportation Services” during a program at the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City.

Guadiz said the memorandum aims to bring the government’s campaign against harassment and gender-based violence to all kinds of public transport.

“Modernized man o hindi, wala pong lugar sa ating mga pampublikong sasakyan ang anumang uri ng karahasan (Modernized or not, violence has no place in public transportation),” he said.

The memorandum defines harassment to include swearing, catcalling, wolf-whistling, and other misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, or sexist remarks.

“Your status or gender is never a license to harass commuters, operators, and drivers of public transport,” he said in Filipino.

He said violators of the memorandum and the Safe Spaces Act, he said, may be liable to face fines or penalties. (PNA