SEN. Raffy Tulfo has called on transport companies to immediately “fix” the violations of their buses to ensure passenger safety during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day or Undas.
Tulfo, who chairs the Committee on Public Services, said he saw several violations of public buses during a surprise inspection of passenger terminals in Metro Manila last Monday.
He said most passenger buses have only one dedicated fire extinguisher in front and none for the passengers in the middle and back.
What’s worse, he said the fire extinguishers were either expired or defective.
He said a large number of buses do not have emergency window exits or do not have emergency glass break hammers attached, while others have either worn-out tires or insufficient tire pressure.
He said most buses do not have CCTV cameras, first aid kits, and insurance policies that will cover the medical expenses of passengers in the event of accidents.
He said buses do not have preventive maintenance books which state if they are regularly and properly maintained.
“This is important since we have heard a lot of stories that brake failure is one of the main causes of accidents. When this happens, the driver and operator should be held liable because this means they have not properly maintained their buses, which can lead to the cancellation of their franchises,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo was accompanied in his inspection by representatives of the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regulatory Board, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
He also said that bus operators should be required to have hand-held metal detectors that security guards can use to screen passengers to ensure that no guns or knives are brought inside the bus.
He said bus operators should provide comfortable seats for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens after he found out that several buses only have monobloc chairs tied with plastic straws.
He said bus terminals should not charge their passengers for using their comfort rooms.
He urged the LTO and LTFRB to order bus companies to rectify the violations within a week, otherwise, their operations should be stopped and their franchises canceled.
During the inspection, PDEA also conducted a random drug testing where one driver tested for illegal drug use. He is now under investigation.
‘UNDAS’ ALTERNATIVE
An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the faithful need not visit cemeteries and columbaria in the forthcoming observance of All Souls Day in the wake of the massive flooding caused by “Kristine.”
In a phone interview, CBCP – Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (ECPA) Executive Secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said the faithful have the option to observe All Souls Day in their homes.
“For flooded areas, the faithful can offer prayers for the departed in the confines of their homes,” said Secillano.
While praying, he said they may light candles and offer flowers for their departed loved ones.
“They may also prepare a simple altar as gestures of remembrance,” said Secillano.
Tropical Storm Kristine has affected 1,662,416 families or 6,717,755 persons in 17 regions. – With Gerard Naval