DOTC ups checks on Cordillera franchises, PUVs after accidents

By Carlito Dar

BAGUIO CITY - - The Department of Transportation and Communication- Cordillera Regional Office  has intensified inspection of franchises and road worthiness of public utility vehicles(PUVs) following several road accidents in the region recently.

DOTC – CAR Regional Director Celina Claver disclosed  that through the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), inspection of   PUVs down to their terminals will be done  and they will be adding manpower for such purpose.

Claver reported  that adding to the risky mountainous road terrains in  the Cordillera, mini-buses that plying provincial routes are also questionable of their  road worthiness.

“We are already strictly implementing the 15 year phase-out rule for public utility buses, as we also face the concern of operators having financial capacity to replace their existing units with brand new buses. If a bus reached 15 years, we will now not allow it for public use, even if it pass a MVIS (Motor Vehicle Inspection Service) certification”, she stressed.

This February alone, a Florida bus with questionable franchise  plunged into a ravine in Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province killing 14 passengers and injuring more than 30. A passenger jeepney in Abra  which also fell  killing   five people, several passengers injured.

For the Florida case, Claver reported that they have already submitted their report for the incident, both those coming from the police investigation and from their own assessment of the accident and it is now up to the LTFRB board to decide, which she assured will be done in soonest possible time.

As for motorists, Claver reiterated the need for drivers to always use defensive driving especially  newcomers or first-time to traverse the mountainous road terrain of  the Cordillera.