Skyway operator to increase patrols
A highway worker pours sand on the bloody portion of a passenger bus that plunged from an elevated highway known as the Skyway Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in suburban Parañaque City. The operator of the 16-kilometer Skyway shouldn’t be blamed for the fatal accident that killed at least 18 people and injured 16 others, a company official said. AP PHOTO/BULLIT MARQUEZ
MANILA, Philippines—The operator of the 16-kilometer Skyway in Southern Metro Manila shouldn’t be blamed for the fatal accident involving a passenger bus of Don Mariano Transit Corp. early Monday, a company official said.
Skyway is mainly held by conglomerate San Miguel Corp. and Citra Group of Indonesia.
Manuel Bonoan, CEO of Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corp., nevertheless noted that the elevated road operator was in talks with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on possible remedies to enhance safety and prevent accidents. These include adding more patrol vehicles, personnel and signs.
“First of all, the expressway is a safe structure and built in accordance with international design standards,” Bonoan said.
“But maybe to deter similar accidents, we will probably have to put up more visible enforcers in the area, especially during the late and early hours when traffic is very light and drivers have the tendency to increase their speed,” Bonoan said.
One car, motorcycle
He noted, for example, that Skyway had one car and motorcycle making the rounds for the entire stretch during the day.
“We are seeing now what we can do to increase visibility,” he said.
The company executive added that Skyway planned to put up more signs.
Bonoan said that elevated road had strict guidelines on the speed limit. During normal weather conditions, this is set at 100 kilometers per hour for cars, 80 kph for buses, and trucks and 60 kph for jeeps.
But during rainy weather, the toll road sets the limit at 60 kph for all vehicles.
The accident involving the Don Mariano passenger bus happened while “rainwater was on the ground.” The bus went over the side of the elevated toll road and fell onto the highway below, killing at least 18 people and injuring 16 others.
The final implementation would depend on how soon the measures would be approved by the TRB. But Bonoan said it could happen toward the end of the year.
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