LTFRB surprised with visit to bus garage in QC

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 11 years ago

LTFRB. Screengrab from https://ltfrb.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines – This time around, it was the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that was surprised when they visited a bus company’s garage on Thursday.

Unicab Bus’ garage in Quezon City was empty when representatives of the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) arrived at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday to inspect if the buses are in compliance of safety and franchise rules.

While the government has been conducting surprise inspections for the past few weeks after the tragic bus accident in Bontoc that left 14 people dead, the LTFRB had to send a “prior short notice” the night before to ensure the grounding of all the buses.

However, authorities and media were the ones surprised when not one bus was in the garage when they arrived.

“It shows something of their compliance, demeanor, attitude nila sa pagsunod sa authorities (in following authorities). It’s one of the violations because they’re supposed to comply with the order of the board,” said LTFRB spokesperson Mary Ann Salada over Inquirer Radio 990AM.

Salada said the LTFRB and the LTO were supposed to verify the bus company’s franchise, the garage dimension and other documentary requirements. They will also check bus markings, chassis and motor numbers.

Authorities revealed that the bus that fell into a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province two weeks ago was operating illegally, its engine and chassis numbers tampered with.

The spokesperson said they will stay at the garage until all of the buses are inspected.

Several minutes later, three buses arrived, the company’s personnel saying they were at a nearby gas station, filling up their tanks.

An hour later, there were seven buses in the garage, out of the 21 owned by Unicab.

Unicab’s operator Alfredo Cabais told Inquirer Radio 990AM that there was a miscommunication with his dispatcher. He said the buses were just at a nearby gas station.

As of posting time, authorities were inspecting the Unicab buses.