Authorities inspect jeepneys in Makati after fatal accident

A photograb from the footage taken by a CCTV camera shows a passenger jeepney moments before it hits eight students of Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School at the corner of J.P. Rizal Avenue and Mabini Street in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City, on Wednesday night. (CCTV courtesy of Makati Police Station)

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic enforcement agencies on Tuesday inspected the conditions of jeepneys that ply the Makati route after a speeding jeepney recently hit a group of students walking on the pedestrian crossing, causing the death of one and injuring several others.

Makati police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said members of the Land Transportation Office,  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council  (Madac) and Makati police took part in the inspection to determine roadworthiness and other possible violations.

“Isabay ngayon ang joint operations ng LTO, LTFRB, HPG, Makati PNP, Madac vs all jeepney in Makati to check roadworthiness, drivers status, licenses and other violations,” Simon told reporters in a text message.

(Today, the LTO, LTFRB, HPG, Makati PNP, and Madac conducted a joint operation against jeepneys in Makati to check on their roadworthiness, driver’s status, licenses and other violations.)

Last week, the jeepney being driven by Crizalde Tamparong along J.P. Rizal in Barangay Poblacion hit eight students crossing the street.

He claimed the vehicle had faulty brakes.

Police investigators said Tamparong, who tested positive for methamphetamine or shabu, did not have a driver’s license.

Simon said 14-year-old Jules Villapando, who was the only fatality in the accident, was scheduled to be laid to rest this Tuesday.

LTFRB suspends jeepney operator

The LTFRB also placed under preventive suspension the operator of the jeepney.

“We will be on top of this. We will work until the roads are completely safe for the commuting public – that means no colorum vehicles, no reckless drivers, and no damaged units that do not comply with our safety standards,” Delgra said.

The management of LTFRB said they would set a hearing on Feb. 26 to decide whether the jeepney operator’s Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) should be retained or canceled.

The CPC is a permit issued by the LTFRB which authorizes a person to engage in transportation. The permit also states where the person is authorized to operate.

With this, the LTFRB also ordered traffic enforcement agencies to apprehend and impound Tamparong’s jeepney, which bears plate number PYV 848, if it would be seen operating as a public utility vehicle (PUV).

The Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI), which provides insurance for passengers of PUVs, rendered financial assistance worth P100,000 to the family of Villapando. This was separate from the P100,00 worth of insurance given to the victim’s family.

PAMI also provided financial aid worth P10,000 each to the families of the seven injured students.