Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers and operatives clear the roads on April 26,2024 of several vehicles, as well as fixtures and furnitures, obstructing Panay Avenue, Scout Borromeo, and GMA Drive identified as alternate routes for the closure of the Kamuning Flyover for repairs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday urged motorists to be more cautious this Holy Week, warning zero tolerance for “kamote” drivers or those who display bad road habits.

“This has to stop. These drivers are a threat to public safety, and we will take them off the road,” LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a press release.

LTFRB Spokesperson Ariel Inton noted the agency issued a preventive suspension against a bus company involved in an accident along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) that left 13 people injured on Monday.

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The suspension will cover 6 units under the bus company, based on the decision of the board, said Inton. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier in the day also ordered the bus company’s preventive suspension.

“The board has a reason bakit hindi fleet ang suspension,” Inton said in a Quezon City forum.

Meanwhile, the official said they were investigating the viral video of an allegedly overspeeding bus in La Union, with some passengers saying they felt unsafe. 

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“Tinitingnan yung authenticity ng video. We saw, we just want to authenticate kung sino ang nag-upload para malaman namin. Yung upload, walang detalye ng bus so I’m calling for the uploader na sana mabigyan kami ng detalye so we can issue the corresponding show-cause order,” he added.

Inton said they would monitor colorum buses plying roads this Holy Week.

He also warned operators to discipline or train their drivers to assure passengers’ safety.

“Franchise holders who fail to control their drivers will face administrative charges and preventive suspensions are being prepared,” he said.

“Driving a public vehicle is a public responsibility. If you are reckless, you are out because you possess danger to people’s lives. Public transport must be safe, that is non-negotiable,” he said. 

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The official reminded passengers: “Kapag colorum, delikado ang pagsakay diyan dahil una, walanag inspeksyon ang unit. Yung driver hindi natin alam ang lisensya niyan.”

“Mas delikado yan sa long-distance driving. Kung sakaling may alam kayo na pugad ng colorum vehicle, ipagbigay alam niyo na lang po sa ahensya para hindi makabiktima ng pasahero,” he said.

The LTFRB said it would deploy “more field inspectors” and continue coordinating with law enforcement authorities such as the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Police.