Gov’t to conduct surprise inspection of buses after Bontoc bus tragedy
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday said authorities would conduct surprise inspection of buses following the tragic accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province that left 14 people dead.
“Roadworthiness o kakayahang makapag-biyahe nang ligtas ang pangunahing focus ng pamahalaan para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan sa kanilang pagbiyahe. Magsasagawa rin ng mga surprised inspection bukod sa mga regular na pag-inspection sa mga garahe at talyer ng mga kompanya ng bus,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said during a press briefing.
This unit of the GV Florida Transport Inc fell off a ravine on the morning of Feb. 7, 2014, landing at a small farm in Barangay (village)Talubin, Bontoc town in Mt. Province. The bus came from Manila. The accident killed 14 people, including 2 foreigners and comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez whose remains were driven back to Manila on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. RICHARD BALONGLONG/Inquirer Northern Luzon
(Roadworthiness or the ability of a vehicle to travel safely is the primary focus of the government to ensure the safety of passengers. Surprise inspections will also be held in addition to the regular inspection of the garage and repair shops of bus companies.)
Coloma said it will also be done in anticipation of the upcoming vacation season and Holy week.
“Higit pang dadami ang bilang ng mga pasahero (sa mga susunod na buwan), kaya’t pag-iigtingin pa ang pagtiyak sa roadworthiness ng mga sasakyan at kaligtasan ng mga pasahero,” he said.
(The number of commuters will increase in the coming months so there is a need to intensify the roadworthiness of public utility vehicles.)
Coloma said the inspection of buses has long been implemented and that there are still a lot of places to be inspected in the rest of the country.
The Palace also expressed confidence in the performance of Land transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Winston Ginez.
He said it was wrong to say that the LTFRB is doing nothing to curb road accidents.
“Puspusan pong tinututukan ng LTFRB ang operasyon ng mga sasakyang pampubliko (The LTFRB is thoroughly monitoring the operation of public vehicles),” he said, adding that the Department of Labor and Employment also enforces occupational safety and health measures to ensure the humane working conditions of bus drivers.
Authorities learned that the Florida Transit bus that fell off a cliff in Mountain Province last Friday was owned by Mt. Province Cable Tours and that the chassis and engine numbers of the bus had been tampered with. It was not registered with the Land Transportation Office and was not authorized to operate as a for-hire vehicle.
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