(Photo courtesy of Dumaguete City police)
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a show-cause order to the operator of a bus that crashed into a passenger terminal that injured three minors in Dumaguete City on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said the bus operator, Vallacar Transit Inc., was ordered to respond as to why its Certificate of Public Convenience should not be canceled or suspended due to the incident.
“The operation of public transportation is imbued with the public interest and is a mere privilege bestowed by the government to the grantees. Operators are to provide the highest form of safety and convenience to the passengers. Road safety should at all times be observed,” Garafil said.
She said the LTFRB shall hear the operator’s case on July 19 at 9 a.m. at the LTFRB courtroom or through an online platform.
As written in the order, failing to answer within the prescribed period or attend the scheduled hearing with the driver will be considered a waiver on the operator’s part to be heard.
It added that the incident shall then be resolved by the LTFRB based on available information.
On Tuesday, a bus rammed into a group of people seated at a passenger terminal in Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City, injuring 14-year-old Haiden B. Silab, 12-year-old Zim Tyler B. Silab, and seven-year-old John Caleb Silab -- all residents of Minglanilla, Cebu.
Initial investigation showed that the injured minors were seated with other people at the Ceres bus terminal around 12:30 p.m. when the bus, driven by 43-year-old Joebie Lajot, suddenly accelerated and rammed into the terminal. (PNA)
