MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte gave financial assistance to the victims of the bus accident in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija that left at least 34 people dead, an official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.
A total of P8.7 million were given as LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra brought the cash aid to the families of the fatalities and survivors of the crash.
He explained that P1.11 million came from Duterte and is separate from the P200,000 that each family of the dead victims received from bus insurer Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI).
Those who survived also received P20,000 each, LTFRB spokesperson and board member Aileen Lizada said in a statement.
Delgra supervised the distribution of cash and insurance benefits for the families of the deceased victims yesterday afternoon in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya while the financial aid for survivors was given in hospitals where they are confined.
On Tuesday, a Leomarick bus carrying 77 passengers bound for Abra plunged into a ravine about 100 feet deep in Barangay Capintalan. Aside from the 34 people who died, 43 others were injured.
This prompted Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate public services committee, to seek the imposition of stiffer penalties for overloading vehicles. He said the accident was so tragic that major steps should be taken to revamp regulations on land transportation.
According to a police investigation, the driver lost control of the bus when the right front tire exploded. It came from Isabela province and was headed to Candon City in Ilocos Sur.
Some of the survivors are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.
The LTFRB earlier imposed a 30-day suspension order on Leomarick Trans and set a hearing on the accident on May 2.
Ejercito said there is a need to amend the outdated law.
“Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code is an outdated law which needs to be reviewed. We were able to pass the Speed Limiter Act during the 16th Congress, I think it is high time to pass an amendment with respect to the violation of the prescribed maximum capacity of public utility vehicles,” he pointed out.
He said the law was enacted in June 1964, and its corresponding terms and conditions issued by the LTFRB do not provide for a penalty, which corresponds to the possible damage to its passengers.
“What we need are stiffer penalties for overloading. Right now, our law only prescribes for P2,000 and P3,000 and suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience for 1st and 2nd offense, respectively,” he said.
Ejercito said while the nation is grieving with those who lost their loved ones in the accident, the Senate will take steps in ensuring that accidents like these are curbed and prevented from happening again.
Bus owner Leonardo Patulot was also present in yesterday’s event, visiting those still recuperating in hospitals and apologizing for the incident. He said his small firm, which only has three bus units left running, relies on the insurance proceeds to help the victims. – With Paolo Romero, Victor Martin