THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the operations of at least 20 buses and trucks owned by three transport operators involved in separate road crashes in Nueva Ecija and Quezon in an effort to improve road safety.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the agency has issued separate show-cause orders against Victory Liner Inc., Philtranco Service Enterprises Inc., and trucking operator Melencio Magtalas following crashes that resulted in deaths and injuries.
According to Mendoza, the investigations aim not only to determine liability but also to identify factors that contribute to road crashes, including possible negligence, driver behavior, and infrastructure-related issues.
"We want to identify a pattern of possible negligence, behavior and infrastructure problems that contribute to road crashes. And we want to establish measures out of these investigations to ensure the safety of all road users," Mendoza said.
The LTFRB ordered the temporary suspension of 15 Victory Liner buses for 30 days after one of the company's buses was involved in a collision with a truck in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, which resulted in the death of a passenger.
The agency noted that the latest suspension came on top of an earlier order grounding 26 Victory Liner buses following a separate crash involving two of its units in Tuba, Benguet, in which nearly 100 passengers were injured.
In another case, the LTFRB suspended the operations of a Philtranco bus involved in a crash in Plaridel, Quezon, which led to the death of a passenger.
The agency also ordered the suspension of four trucks owned by Melencio Magtalas after one of the firm's units figured in a multiple-vehicle collision in Lucena City.
Mendoza said the LTFRB's actions demonstrate its commitment to enforcing safety standards among public transport operators.
He said that a government franchise includes the responsibility of ensuring the safety and welfare of passengers and other road users.
"We will not hesitate to cancel it once we find out that the operator is not complying with the rules and regulations and demands that come with the authority to operate," he said.
Hearings on the three cases have already been scheduled, and Mendoza warned that operators who fail to comply with the show-cause orders could face heavier penalties, including the revocation of their franchises.
