By Lizbeth Ann Abella
TACLOBAN CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Eastern Visayas (LTFRB-8) is enforcing stricter safety standards following a road crash involving a passenger van that killed four people.
LTFRB-8 Director Gualberto Gualberto said in a statement Friday that inspections, compliance reviews and agency coordination are ongoing to strengthen safeguards and reduce incident risks.
The agency issued the statement after a van for hire crashed into the rear of a 10-wheeler truck parked on the roadside in Barangay Balud, Basey, on Feb. 10. Four people, including the van driver, died.
The LTFRB suspended the operations of Tacloban City-based Duptours Shuttle Services, Inc., owner of the van, for 30 days.
“The order covers all vehicles operating under the franchise, including the unit directly involved in the crash, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach to potential safety lapses,” Gualberto added.
As an additional safeguard, the LTFRB directed the operator to subject all franchise drivers to mandatory drug testing at Department of Health-accredited facilities.
Drivers and management staff were also required to attend an accredited road safety seminar focused on defensive driving, risk prevention and operator accountability.
The agency further ordered a comprehensive inspection of all vehicles in the franchise to determine their roadworthiness and mechanical conditions before they are cleared to return to service.
The LTFRB reported that the operator coordinated with authorities to extend medical and hospitalization assistance to injured passengers and provide support to families of fatalities, including funeral assistance.
To ensure timely compensation, the LTFRB instructed the insurance provider to fast-track the issuance of claims. (PNA)
