Bodies of passengers are covered in newspapers as they are laid down on the road after a passenger bus plunged from an elevated highway known as Skyway Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in suburban Paranaque southeast of Manila, Philippines. Officials said at least 21 people died, mostly passengers, and more than 20 others were injured in the accident. AP
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered three bus firms to cease operations as it issued a cease-and-desist order. The three bus operators were found to be illegally sharing a certificate of public convenience (CPC). The three bus firms were BCB Transport Inc, Worthy Transport Inc. and CEM Trans Services Inc.
The LTFRB’s order stops the operation of 29 bus units until a public hearing can be held to check the CPCs. The agency’s Technical Evaluation Division had inspected one of the buses of BCB Transport with plate number UYA 994. The bus’ body markings showed that it was owned and operated by Worthy Transport Inc. A record check revealed that BCB Transport Inc. under case 2003-0464 was the registered operator, but the bus was now being operated by Worthy Transport Inc. and CEM Trans Services Inc. without the approval of the LTFRB.
The LTFRB is under public pressure to rein in perennially reckless bus drivers and operators following a string of accidents, including the crash of a Don Mariano bus that fell from the Skyway, killing at least 21 persons.
The LTFRB investigated the bus firms after a complaint by Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. Secretary Lacierda witnessed the reckless driving of the bus while driving on EDSA.
With report by Miguel Camus
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