Bus operator in fatal Albay road accident faces preventive suspension
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MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a preventive suspension order against the operator of the passenger bus involved in a road accident in Polangui, Albay.
This mishap resulted in three fatalities.
It occurred on Tuesday, May 20, when a truck collided with the bus along Maharlika Highway in Polangui, killing both drivers on the spot.
READ: 2 die in bus-truck collision in Albay
One bus passenger also died later, while several others were reportedly injured.
LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said his agency would look into the incident.
“We will not tolerate any neglect that endangers public safety. Operators must be held accountable,” Guadiz was quoted as saying in a press release on Thursday.
The LTFRB chief also directed the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance providers to immediately process and release the insurance claims for all the victims.
READ: LTFRB directs bus to improve terminal facilities in 60 days
According to LTFRB Spokesperson Ariel Inton, the families of the deceased bus driver and passenger would get P400,000 each in insurance compensation.
The bus driver was earlier identified as Benedict Buesa, a resident of Barangay Canaway in Malilipot, Albay.
Authorities have yet to identify the truck driver.
Other affected passengers will also receive insurance payouts based on the extent of their injuries, the LTFRB said./apl
