ALL Regional Directors and District Office chiefs of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) were ordered to intensify the inspection of Public Utility Buses (PUBs) in bus terminals within their respective areas of jurisdiction as more passengers are expected to flock bus terminals, all eager to go home to their respective provinces to celebrate the Christmas season.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the order is in line with the instruction of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to ensure the safety of commuters, travelers and all road users going to various destinations during the Yuletide season.
Mendoza said the inspection is necessary to prevent fatal road accidents similar to what happened in Antique wherein several passengers died when the bus plunged into a ravine.
“I am expecting a regular conduct of inspection on all passenger buses leaving their respective bus terminals. We have to do this because what is at stake is the life and limb of the passengers who just want to reach their destination safely,” said Mendoza.
Aside from bus inspection, Mendoza also directed all Regional Directors and District Office heads to ensure the mental and physical condition of the drivers amid cases in the past wherein accidents were caused by drivers falling asleep especially during a long trip.
Part of this measure is the conduct of surprise and mandatory drug tests.
Since his first day in office as LTO chief, Mendoza led by example in the government’s road safety campaign by initiating bus terminal inspections.
He directed all LTO officials to do the same on a regular basis—and not only during long weekends and breaks when exodus of people is expected.
Mendoza said that since Christmas break is already being implemented in some schools, and they expect more passengers to troop to bus terminals starting December 15.