LTFRB suspends bus firm in Skyway crash

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the entire fleet of Don Mariano Transit following the fatal accident in Parañaque yesterday morning.

The preventive suspension covers all the seven franchises of the firm, involving 78 bus units, said board chairman Winston Ginez.

Normally, the board just preventively suspends the franchise involved in an accident but the board decided to ground the entire fleet of Don Mariano Transit yesterday, taking into consideration three other cases against the company, Ginez said.

In an interview, Ginez cited an incident in Ortigas in July 2012, causing the board to impose a 60-day suspension of its 21 units under one of its franchises following an investigation.

Another incident in August 2012 also involved one of its buses and a motorcycle driver, who died in the accident on the Magallanes flyover. The board had imposed a preventive suspension during its investigation and the case is now up for resolution.

The third incident happened in May 2012 but it was not an accident. A robbery occurred onboard one of its buses and a call center agent was killed. The board imposed a 30-day suspension on all its franchises following its investigation. But the firm appealed the sanction and it is now up for resolution.

“We decided to ground everything,” Ginez said.

According to Ginez, each of the affected passengers is entitled to insurance benefit worth P75,000.

The victims could also reimburse up to P15,000 in medical expenses under the insurance policy.

Franchise cancellation mulled

Ginez also revealed that Don Mariano Transit had topped the list prepared by the board in 2011 of the 10 bus companies that had caused the most number of damage to property in Metro Manila.

According to Ginez, the company recorded the most number of incidents for the whole of 2010 up to the first half of 2011.

With the cases pending against the company and the most recent fatal accident, the board would now have to study the possibility of canceling the franchises held by the firm, whose president is Melissa Lim.

Ginez personally served the suspension order on the company yesterday to make sure the entire fleet was grounded. He said the company had sent representatives to communicate with and assist the families of the victims.

Expired compliance certificate

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also reported yesterday that Don Mariano Transit is operating with an expired Labor Standards Compliance Certificate (LSCC).

Nicon Fameronag, DOLE spokesman, said Don Mariano’s LSCC expired last July and the company did not apply for renewal.

This year, the DOLE’s 16 regional offices have issued LSSCs to 517 bus companies and Don Mariano is not among them.

The DOLE earlier issued an order directing all companies to undergo inspection and comply with regulations prior to the issuance of certification.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the ultimate goal of the DOLE policy is the safety not only of the drivers and conductors, but also of the passengers and pedestrians.

DOLE also requires certification from bus companies prior to renewal of bus franchises at the LTFRB.

Extraordinarily lenient

A senior administration lawmaker scored yesterday the LTFRB for being “extraordinarily lenient” in dealing with bus companies despite bad safety records.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas said until the LTFRB imposes drastic measures, “wayward bus drivers and their greedy operators will continue to become a threat to the safety and well-being of pedestrians, motorists and commuters.”

“I think that the LTFRB should start getting really serious in its crackdown against rogue public utility drivers and irresponsible public utility operators. These accidents happen because these drivers and their operators are too confident that they can get away with it. The cycle is endless unless we do something really drastic,” Treñas said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Treñas also called for the installation of speed limiters on all public utility buses. Rodriguez pushed for the passage of his bill filed last year mandating the installation of speed limiters.

“Since it is impossible to ensure that only drivers with proper driving etiquette are employed by bus companies, the best way to reduce road accidents is to deny them the ability to drive faster than they should,” he said.

Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) also criticized the government yesterday for allowing Don Mariano Transit to operate despite numerous violations.

KMU also questioned the absence of President Aquino and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II in the accident site yesterday, when they went to a mall in Quezon City last Sunday after robbers hit a jewelry shop in the establishment.

Anti-drunk driving law

Sen. Vicente Sotto III, for his part, pushed anew yesterday for the need to strictly implement the anti-drunk driving law which comes with tough penalties.

Sotto also believes drug tests would deter daredevil bus drivers.

It is incumbent upon bus operators to make sure that their drivers are following rules, Sotto said.  – With Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez