In the Philippines, drivers of jeepneys and commuter vans are notorious for trying to squeeze in as many passengers to maximize their earnings per trip.
To accomodate more commuters, it is not uncommon to see public utility vehicles (PUVs) with “slim only” stickers posted on their passenger areas.
Most are perhaps meant as a joke, but the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is not laughing.
Preference for slim passengers is, in fact, discrimatory.
LTFRB member Ariel Inton said that such stickers may even be considered a franchise violation.
“It may sound amusing, at first, but this is clear discrimination against passengers, and this is prohibited under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 of the Land Transportation Office and the LTFRB,” Inton said in a statement, reports Philippine Daily Inquirer.
For the first offense, the driver or operator will be fined PHP5,000. For the second offense, the penalty could go up to a PHP10,000 fine and impounding of the vehicle for up to 30 days.
Likewise, preference for gender is also a violation against the law. “Ladies only” policy for the front seat also violates various antidiscrimination laws in the Philippines,
“There are passengers you give priority to, like PWDs or senior citizens. But never discriminate based on size or physique or gender. To give priority is to accept passengers. To discriminate is to refuse them,” he said.
Those who have experienced discrimination may file reports at the LTFRB office. Make sure to get the vehicle route and plate number.
