LTFRB suspends operation of 15 Ceres buses after Antique road accident
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued on Wednesday, Dec. 6, a 90-day preventive suspension on the franchise of the operator of the Ceres bus following the fatal road accident in Hamtic, Antique that left at least 17 people dead.
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz said the suspension order covers a total of 15 Ceres buses that were approved to operate in the area.
"We already issued a 90-day preventive suspension to the entire fleet, meaning to say, the buses that are operating on that route, there are 15 of them, have already issued a preventive suspension right away," Guadiz said.
He said LTFRB personnel in Western Visayas have started conducting a site inspection and have been coordinating with the insurance company to compensate the victims.
Guadiz also said that there is already an interagency team including the LTFRB, LTO, and Department of Transportation (DOTr) which is handling the investigation.
Police reports disclosed that the bus came from Iloilo City and heading towards a town in Antique at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, when it overshot the permanent concrete barrier on the zigzag and mountainous road in Barangay Igbucagay before falling into the ravine.
Guadiz said they are looking into reports that the area was reportedly the same spot where a Ceres bus also fell killing two passengers several years ago.
To avoid similar incidents, Guadiz ordered bus operators to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before plying the road, and also check the well-being of their drivers for the safety of the riding public.