‘Skyway management not liable for bus accident’

MANILA, Philippines - The Skyway Operations and Management Corp. (SOMCO) said it could not be held responsible for the fall of a Don Mariano Transit Corp. bus from the Skyway that left at least 18 people dead and 16 others injured.

A report on the ABS-CBN News website quoting SOMCO president Manuel Bonoan said the materials used for Skyway railings met international standards.

He said they also have adequate speed limit detectors as well as roving teams monitoring the whole stretch of the Skyway.

The report said SOMCO’s initial investigation showed that the Don Mariano bus was way over the 60 kilometers per hour limit imposed on rainy days.

The rain had stopped when the accident happened but Bonoan said the 60 kph limit was still in effect because the pavement was still wet. The normal speed limit for buses is 80 kph.

SOMCO also noted that the bus’ tires were already worn out at the time of the accident. The Skyway management said this could have contributed to the driver’s losing control of the vehicle when it skidded on the wet pavement.

Bonoan said SOMCO has no power to control or regulate the roadworthiness of buses, which is the job of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the report added.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang said the Skyway management is providing financial and hospital assistance to the families of the fatalities and the injured victims.

San Miguel Holdings Corp. has a stake in Atlantic Aurum Inc. the corporate vehicle of the Citra Group that has controlling equity interest in Skyway concession holder and operator Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp.