LTFRB probes fatal post-Christmas bus crash in Camarines Sur
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Vigor D. Mendoza II (Courtesy of LTFRB)
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is investigating a deadly bus crash in Camarines Sur that claimed five lives a day after Christmas.
The incident occurred at 3:25 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, along the Barangay Magais-I, Del Gallego portion of the Andaya Highway. Police reports indicate the driver fell asleep while driving, causing the bus to fall off a cliff roughly 10 meters high.
The DLTB Bus (UYA 479) was en route from Cubao to Gubat, Sorsogon.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor D. Mendoza II said a show cause order (SCO) will be issued to the bus company to ensure the investigation covers all factors that led to the crash.
“We already received a copy of the police report and it was mentioned there that the driver fell asleep, and this led to the road crash,” Mendoza said.
“So in the hearing, we will go deeper into determining if the proper protocol to ensure the mental and physical readiness of designated drivers was followed in this case,” he added.
Five passengers, including a 60-year-old woman, died while at least 15 others, including the driver and an alternate driver, were seriously injured. They were taken to a hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon.
Initial checks show the bus is registered under Del Motor Works, Inc. and is covered by a Certificate of Public Conveyance (CPC) issued in 2022, which remains valid until March next year.
Mendoza said the LTFRB will determine whether the bus company followed proper protocols to ensure the drivers were mentally and physically ready.
He added that the LTFRB will coordinate with the insurance provider to speed up claims for the victims.
Earlier, Mendoza warned all bus companies to ensure vehicle roadworthiness and driver preparedness during the holiday rush.
He stressed that authorities will hold companies accountable for safety violations.