LTFRB revokes franchise of Don Mariano Transit

It maybe a quick relief but hopefully, this step will make a way for a better system for the Philippine's Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) when it comes to dealing with its erring franchise owners in the public transportation scene.


On Tuesday, news came out that the LTFRB cancelled the franchise of Don Mariano Transit Corporation, the company owner of the bus that killed 21 people when it fell off the Skyway near Bicutan in Taguig City, on Dec. 16, 2013.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said, as per evidences reviewed, Don Mariano Transit have had many lapses and violations already. It failed to comply with the terms and conditions embedded in the "Certificates of Public Convenience".

Details of investigation coming from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) says, the bus involved in the gruesome accident in December last year had six (6) tires already worn out, hence not worthy to operate, not even during bad weather condition.

Chairman Ginez also disclosed that the bus involved in the accident bearing the chassis number JALFVR34797000092 is not in the records of LTFRB. Ginez said:

The fact that Don Mariano Bus Corp allowed the illegal use or change of chassis without informing the LTFRB or undergoing its procedural requirement at the LTO is a clear misrepresentation, to say the least, which this Board can never tolerate

Not only was the particular bus unit involved in the accident not roadworthy to be on the streets, but the bus company was remiss and blatantly negligent in the maintenance and repair of its bus units and in the performance of its business affairs and activities

The truth is, only six (6) fleets of Don Mariano Transit passed a road worthiness inspection, Ginez added.

Ginez warned:

As part of our regulatory powers, we will not hesitate to suspend the franchise of bus operators who fail to meet our strict requirements in terms of road worthiness of their whole fleet

The like of this issue has been going around for so many years already. It is really time that the LTFRB gets the real grip, and we mean strong and determined hold of what's going on in the public transportation safety in the Philippines.