By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday suspended the operation of nine buses owned by Delmonte Motor Works, Inc. (DMWI) after one of its buses plunged into a ravine in Barangay Silangang Malicboy, Pagbilao, Quezon, on Monday.
The road crash resulted in the death of two people and injuries to 36 others.
In a statement, LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said a show cause order has been issued against DMWI—the parent company of Del Monte Land Transport Bus Company (DLTB) that operates the bus involved in the incident.
“We will be allowing them to explain their side as part of the due process. But they are mandated to explain why their CPC should not be suspended or revoked,” Mendoza said.
Aside from the bus that fell from the ravine, eight other buses owned by the company are suspended pending the result of the LTFRB’s investigation.
The bus company was ordered to submit maintenance records to ensure the roadworthiness of its passenger buses.
In addition, the driver in the incident was ordered to take a drug test and undergo a seminar on public safety.
The first hearing on the case is set on May 7, and failure to comply with the summons will result in a PHP5,000 fine.
Initial police investigation showed the DLTB passenger bus with license plate no. AQA 6760 and driven by a certain “Noel,” 54 years old, was traveling from Daet, Camarines Norte, going to Cubao, Quezon City, when its brakes failed while traversing a curved and descending portion of the road.
The driver lost control of the bus, which fell into a 10-meter-deep ravine. (PNA)
