LTFRB looking into driver, road, bus conditions in Antique mishap

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), on Wednesday, said it is looking at the conditions of the driver, bus and the road in last Tuesday’s deadly accident in Antique.

“I understand na isa sa mga nasawi yung driver, pero we will be conducting tests kung yung driver ba lasing ba that time,” said LTFRB Chairman Undersecretary Teofilo Guadiz III in a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Wednesday.


(I understand the driver was among the fatalities but we will be conducting tests if he was driving under the influence of alcohol  [at the time of the accident].)


In addition to the driver’s physical state, the agency is also looking into possible maintenance failure and improper travel routes as possible causes of the accident that killed at least 17 people.
 

“It is incumbent of the bus company na everytime na babyahe 'yan, sisiguraduhin nila na maayos ang kanilang mga bus. Titignan namin yung ledgers sa terminal kung ano yung condition bago ito umalis,” he added.

(Everytime their buses go on a trip, they have to ensure that the vehicles are in proper working condition.We will look at their ledgers at the terminal what their status are before they left.) 

Meanwhile, the LTFRB has reached out to the bus company’s insurance provider regarding the insurance claims of the victims.

“[We have coordinated with them] to see to it na yung mga namatayan will be properly indemnified, that’s half-a-million per head, and to attend to the medical bills ng mga seryoso,” Guadiz said.

 (We have coordinated with them to see to it that the deceased will be properly indemnified… and to attend to the medical bills of the seriously injured.)

Earlier, the LTFRB ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on the bus company’s 13 units plying the Iloilo-Antique route.

In the aftermath of the incident, the agency announced it will conduct random drug testing and roadworthiness inspections in several bus terminals nationwide from December 21 until the new year.

As of Wednesday, 17 people have died and 8 were severely injured as a result of the accident. —JISELLE ANNE CASUCIAN/RF, GMA INTEGRATED NEWS