LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada checks the tires of a Dimple Star Bus (Joan Nano / UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines — Following an inspection on Wednesday by personnel of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) at the terminal of Dimple Star bus firm, the agency prohibited two bus units of the company.
The two bus units were supposed to travel to Iloilo but were found to have bald tires with holes.
The thread near the bus tires was already loose, while one of the units had no document.
Because of this, LTFRB banned the two buses from operating, while its passengers were transferred to other bus firms.
“Bakit nadidispatch ang ganitong klase ng bus? (Why are they allowing buses like these to be dispatched?) Where is the safety protocol or measure ng Dimple Star?” LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada said.
Although the inspection caused inconvenience, passengers were glad that the LTFRB discovered the defects.
“Malaking abala to pero buhay to. Dapat talaga bago sila umaalis, talagang sinisiguro nila na safe ang mga pasahero,” said bus passenger, Salnie Francisco.
(It is a huge inconvenience but live are at stake. Before buses leave, they should ensure the safety of passengers.)
Meanwhile, the LTFRB imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on the firm’s 10 bus units with routes from Manila to San Jose Occidental Mindoro following the fatal accident on Tuesday that left 19 people dead and more than 20 others injured.
Aside from this, the LTFRB will also summon the bus operator, Hilbert Napat, and will be ordered to explain why their franchise should not be revoked or cancelled, and to identify the negligence of the company in the said accident.
The LTFRB set the hearing in connection with the case on April 18.
Meanwhile, the officials of the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI) will travel to Occidental Mindoro to process the financial assistance the relatives of the victims will receive.
Aside from this, the operator of Dimple Star bus also provided financial aid to the victims. — Joan Nano| UNTV News & Rescue
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