LTFRB revokes franchise of 10 units of Florida bus firm

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday cancelled the franchise of G. V Florida Transport Inc.'s 10 bus units following the fatal accident in Bontoc, Mt. Province last month, that left 15 people dead and 12 others injured.

In its ruling, the LTFRB revoked the Certificate of Public Convenience of the 10 buses of Mt. Province Cable Tours, the other bus firm involved in the accident, which is also owned by G.V Florida.

The LTFRB also ordered the "for hire" plates of the 10 units destroyed prior to their turn over to the Land Transportation Office.

The Board also suspended for six months G.V. Florida's 28 CPCs, covering 188 buses.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said there is no assurance the suspension will be lifted after six months.

"Kailangan muna nilang mapatunayan na lahat ng kanilang unit ay makapasa sa rigid testing na isasagawa namin sa pakikipagtulungan sa LTO, na lahat ay may valid na permiso at tamang papeles at rehistro, he said.

"Lahat ng drivers nila at dapat ding pumasa sa gagawing testing ng Board at TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority )at may tamang experience sa pagmamaneho ng malalaking bus units," Ginez added.

The license plate of GV Florida unit involved in the accident was originally issued to a mini-bus under the name of Norberto Cue Sr. of Bontoc, Mt. Province.

However, after a check, the LTFRB found out that the chassis and engine number did not match the ones for the bus.