Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon warned bus companies and shipping lines to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers, warning firms that will ignore these measures will be facing severe penalties.
“Hindi tayo nagbibiro dito. Seryosohin sana tayo ng mga bus companies at shipping lines na alagaan ang mga pasahero sa bus at barko. Hindi natin ikokompromiso at seguridad ng mga biyahero natin. We want them to take us seriously,” Dizon said.
“Hindi natin ikokompromiso ang safety ng ating mga komyuter.”
“Ang sabi ng Pangulo, hindi natin ikokompromiso ang safety ng ating mga komyuter,” the transportation chief added.
The transport head made the reminder after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a show cause order against Draven Bus Co. after one of its buses figured in a crash recently along NLEX Valenzuela City, leaving scores of passengers injured.
Similar show cause orders by the LTFRB and Land Transportation Office (LTO) were likewise issued against Marvin Lacuesta, operator of the bus company and its driver, Mark Louie Burgos, plying the Carmen, Pangasinan route for endangering the safety of passengers due to reckless driving, a video of which has gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has ordered Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. to explain why it should not be punished for violating anti-overloading policy and selling tickets to passengers despite exceeding its allowable capacity.
