6 school buses found with minor violations

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board–7 has noted minor violations in six buses of schools in Cebu City and Mandaue City.

“So far, mga minor violations ra ang among nakit-an like lack of fire extinguishers, first aid kit and lack of markings. On-going pa gihapon ang atong inspections,” LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon told The FREEMAN.

He said the schools have been given a certain period of time to correct the respective deficiencies. No colorum bus was found and the number of colorum buses has reportedly decreased in the past three years.

Cuizon said LTFRB-7 has been steadfast in its campaign against colorum school buses considering that the vehicles transport children.

He said schools with buses have formed their own group, which enables them to police their own ranks. Majority of those who reportedly used to operate illegally have already acquired a franchise to legitimize their operation.

A franchise fee costs less than P10,000 and is valid for five years per unit.

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda has reiterated her proposal to conduct monthly fire and earthquake drills and other disaster preparedness measures in educational and healthcare institutions.

Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 357 or the Preparedness in Buildings during Fire, Earthquake and other Hazardous Phenomena Act.

 The measure the conduct of emergency drills in school buses and other vehicles for transporting school children at least twice every school year.

The measure also proposes monthly drills should be done in schools and other educational establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, orphanages and other buildings or structures used for the care of or occupied by the sick, infirm, or disabled.

“We must enhance our resiliency to disasters by preparing the citizenry, particularly school children and the occupants of health care institutions, their administrators, operators, and personnel on the proper response and actions to take in cases of fires, earthquakes and other hazardous phenomena.

We have to do this so that our people know what to do in times of disasters and to reduce the risks on their lives, limb and properties,” Legarda said in a statement.  (FREEMAN)