By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Grace Poe emphasizes the urgent need to establish a National Transportation Safety Board, dedicated to investigating incidents across all modes of transportation, encompassing air, land, and sea, as well as railways and pipeline systems.
This call comes in the wake of a tragic bus crash in Antique where at least 17 perished and scores suffered injuries.
“The proposed legislation aims to enforce rigorous inspections of public vehicles, enhance driver’s licensing standards, and implement safety measures aimed at preventing road accidents,” Poe stated.
Furthermore, she stressed that relevant agencies must ensure that funds collected from vehicle registration fees and related taxes are allocated to crucial road safety measures, such as street lights, railings, and signboards.
The impetus for this legislative push stems from a recent bus accident in Hamtic, Antique, where 17 passengers lost their lives after the vehicle plunged into a ravine. Vallacar Transit, the owner of the Ceres bus involved in the incident, initially reported 24 passengers on board.
The bus, traveling from Iloilo to Culasi, Antique, met with the unfortunate accident at KM 174, Igbucay, Hamtic.
Expressing condolences to the families of the victims, Senator Poe conveyed her frustration, stating, “We are enraged with the loss of lives that could have been prevented.”
She attributed recurring accidents to the operation of vehicles lacking roadworthiness and drivers taking the wheel without undergoing rigorous training.
In conclusion, Senator Grace Poe advocates for the establishment of a National Transportation Safety Board to address and mitigate transportation-related incidents, emphasizing the importance of stringent safety measures and proper allocation of resources.
(ai/mnm)
