QC councilor: Cancel Don Mariano bus permit

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City councilor has filed a proposed resolution which, once approved by the city council, would formally urge Mayor Herbert Bautista to cancel the business permit of the Quezon City-based Don Mariano Transit Corp., owner of the ill-fated bus that fell off the Skyway and killed 19 people last Dec. 16.

Sixth district Councilor Melencio Castelo Jr. filed his proposal after the accident involving a Don Mariano bus that killed 19 people, including the bus driver, Carmelo Calatcat, and injured 16 others.

“With several major accidents involving the Don Mariano Transit Corp., a Quezon City-based bus company, the LTFRB officially listed the Don Mariano Transit Corp. as the most dangerous bus operator in Metro Manila,” said Castelo.

The councilor  said the main terminal of Don Mariano Transit Corp. is located at 848 Quirino Highway in Novaliches.

“The unfortunate tragedy could have been avoided had land transportation authorities imposed harsh punishment to bus drivers and bus operators who have gotten away with their bus drivers killing innocent people,” he added.

He said the Quezon City government should not permit bus companies like the Don Mariano Transit Corp. from operating, adding that the city should take appropriate action to protect the lives and limbs of its residents from such accidents.

Calatcat died at the intensive care unit of the Parañaque Doctors Hospital last Monday night.

Police had earlier filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injury and damage to property against Calatcat and the Don Mariano Transit management.

Police said the Don Mariano bus with license plate UVC-916 driven by Calatcat and plying the Novaliches-Pacita route, was cruising along the Skyway toward Alabang when it fell some 30 meters off the Skyway in Barangay Marcelo Green at around 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 16 and crashed on a closed van with license plate ULX-874 that was traveling northward along the Liway West Service Road.

Police said that with Calatcat’s death, both his criminal and civil liabilities in connection with the accident have been extinguished.