A Can of Worms

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The investigation into the deadly accident involving a Don Mariano Transit Corp. bus flying off the skyway, flattening a closed van, and killing 22 people has opened a can of worms and raises questions regarding unsafe bus company policies. It also points to a disturbing lack of government involvement and regulation where public transportation and safety is involved.

The entire fleet of Don Mariano has been suspended for 30 days and charges have naturally been filed against the driver and the owner of the bus. But what is truly disturbing are the bits and pieces of information that have come as a result of the investigation that came only after too many people have already perished.

For starters, only six of the initial batch of 42 DMTC buses passed the road safety test conducted by the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Problems ranged from defective brakes and signal lights to worn out upholstery, lack of seatbelts and failure to pass emission tests. This widespread negligence adds weight to the photos of the doomed bus that show at least one of its tires was worn out. Considering that if the accident hadn't happened, no inspections would have been conducted, we cannot help but wonder how many more bus companies follow the same irresponsible business model?

Reports that DMTC drivers work for at least 19 hours also cannot be discounted, considering the ominous absence of government regulation in an industry that has been involved in so many accidents and deaths every year. The Department of Labor is investigating the reports but the same question remains: Why only now?

To be fair, there are bus companies that have been going out of their way to provide their passengers with service that is both safe and professional but it would seem like those companies are the exception rather than the rule and their motivation is not influenced by government agencies enforcing rules regulations to protect the riding public.

If the LTFRB is not interested in making public transportation safe and efficient for Filipinos, then what is it there for?*