LTFRB suspends 3 passenger buses after fatal Sorsogon road crash
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) temporarily grounded three passenger buses of a transport company involved in a fatal road crash in Juban, Sorsogon, on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the incident resulted in the death of two passengers of a private car in addition to the nine injured during the crash along the Barangay Rangas portion of the Maharlika Highway.
“We in the LTFRB are saddened by this tragic incident. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, and we assure them that we will look into this case in the interest of truth and accountability,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the bus operator, Elavil Tours Inc. It notified the company about the temporary suspension and the need for it to explain in writing why it should not face more penalties related to the fatal incident.
In the SCO, the operator was asked to submit its explanation in notarized writing and ordered the involved driver to be subjected to tests to determine whether he was in a good state of mind and physical condition at the time of the incident.
Mendoza also sought to find out whether the bus in the incident underwent regular preventive maintenance and other roadworthiness checks.
“We also want to check if the vehicle involved has an updated insurance because we want to extend our assistance to the victims through fast processing of insurance payment,” he said.
To expedite the processing of funds for the victims, he ordered LTFRB 5 (Bicol) to coordinate with the insurance companies for the immediate release of payments.
In addition, the driver in the incident was asked to explain why he should not be penalized for the incident.
The hearing of the case is set on June 1, at the LTFRB Regional Office in Legazpi City. (PNA)