CALAMBA, Laguna — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has officially opened applications for qualified bus operators to serve three new routes from Calamba City, Laguna, to Baguio City, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, and Iba in Zambales. This initiative, mandated under LTFRB Board Resolution Nos. 346 and 383 series of 2025, aims to improve accessibility and connectivity between Southern and Northern Luzon.

The introduction of these routes is expected to significantly benefit travelers from Laguna and nearby provinces, offering a more convenient, direct, and comfortable travel option to popular northern destinations. Previously, passengers had to rely on multiple transfers or endure long, circuitous journeys, which often discouraged tourism or limited mobility for students, workers, and leisure travelers alike. With these new routes, travel from Calamba to Baguio, Tuguegarao, and Iba will be more streamlined, enhancing both convenience and efficiency.

Beyond convenience, this development carries broader implications for regional economic growth. Easier access to Northern Luzon could boost local tourism, encourage domestic spending, and provide opportunities for small businesses in destination cities. It also reflects a strategic effort to decentralize mobility, ensuring that economic and cultural hubs beyond Metro Manila are more accessible to ordinary Filipinos.

The LTFRB encourages bus companies to submit applications and comply with safety and operational standards, emphasizing that efficient public transport is not just about connectivity—it is about safeguarding passengers and fostering trust in the transport system. Ultimately, these new routes are more than a transportation upgrade; they symbolize the potential of integrated infrastructure planning to expand economic opportunity, promote tourism, and make long-distance travel in the Philippines safer, faster, and more enjoyable for all. (Larawan: Laguna Insider / Facebook)