Drug tests ordered for bus drivers

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Transport authorities are looking into the possibility that the driver of the bus which plunged into a ravine, leaving 42 people dead in Benguet on Wednesday, was on drugs when the accident occurred.

The regional Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) office yesterday ordered the one-month suspension of the franchise of the Eso-Nice bus line. All its drivers were also orderded to undergo drug testing and re-evaluation of driving skills.

DOTC regional director Federico Mandapat also ordered a thorough investigation into reports on the award of the bus firm’s franchise.

Mandapat said they would make an onsite investigation today to determine whether it was purely an accident or human error on the part of the driver or mechanical failure.

Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus also ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Benguet to submit its findings on the accident.

“I have ordered the LTO office in Benguet to explain why that kind of bus was registered,” De Jesus said.

“Apparently, there may have been a failure of inspection.”

De Jesus said the bus operator would be summoned to appear to the head office in Manila on Monday to explain.

He said the franchise of the bus firm would be suspended and their vehicles inspected.

De Jesus stressed the need to improve the system of registration of motor vehicles, particularly public transport and the issuance of drivers’ licenses.

The La Union-bound Eso-Nice bus from Baguio City plunged into a 100-foot ravine along Naguilian Road in Sablan town Wednesday.

Authorities confirmed 42 passengers were killed and eight survived, including the driver identified as Romeo Subang and conductor John Patric Flores.

Subang reportedly told investigators that the brakes of the bus failed to respond as he was trying to negotiate the downward curve at a portion of Naguilian Road.

Flores, for his part, told reporters that Subang tried to prevent the disaster by hitting the concrete barriers along the road in the effort to slow down the bus.

Flores though admitted that they already knew something was wrong with the brakes of the bus before they decided to proceed with the trip to La Union.

Flores said Subang decided to proceed with the trip until the worst scenario occurred.

Benguet provincial police director Wilden Mayor said they have filed the charges against Subang before assistant provincial prosecutor Benedict Pataras.

Pataras said Subang, who is still in hospital being treated for broken ribs sustained during the accident, faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

A lame excuse

President Aquino yesterday dismissed the claims of Subang that brake failure was the cause of the accident.

Mr. Aquino said brake failure is a lame excuse.

“We would really want to find how this could be minimized to the greatest extent possible. I want to study how thorough the inspections are for all of these transports. And also the driving skills. In fact, I want to study the entire industry, find out what can be done to improve that particular situation,” he said.

The President tasked the LTO and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to determine the cause of the accident and submit their recommendations.

“I was asking both the HPG and also the LTO to expedite the investigation to find out what actually transpired,” Mr. Aquino told reporters at the sidelines of the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show at the World Trade Center where he was guest of honor.

“So, I am waiting for the results from both agencies to determine what is needed, be it legislation, be it better design of roads or even better education for our drivers,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said he wanted to determine the appropriate solutions to such kinds of accidents.

“And as you know, next time let’s not exert some pressure to those who are investigating so they will come out with true findings,” he said.

Mr. Aquino, who occasionally drives his own vehicle, noted Naguilian Road is a treacherous road for ordinary drivers.

“Naguilian road is not a very steep road and a professional driver who undertakes that road should be, you know... a master of that particular route,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said the reports he received from the spate of accidents in Cebu were similar to the situation in Benguet.

He said the Cebu accidents were primarily blamed on “the lack of adherence to standards in road construction.”

“We just have them immediately corrected upon the discovery of the Department of Public Works and Highways,” Mr. Aquino said.

No fault on the road

But the DPWH ruled out poor construction of that portion of Naguilian Road could have caused the accident in Benguet.

DPWH Undersecretary for Luzon Romeo Momo said their initial findings indicate the accident was caused by either human error or mechanical failure.

“Based on the initial findings, it seemed that the accident can not be attributed to the highway but it may be a mechanical failure (or) possible human error,” he said.

Momo ruled out the substandard construction of the road might have caused the accident.

“It (Naguilian Road) is a normal two lane road and there is even a wide concrete shoulder. There are no road obstructions in the area,” he pointed out.

Momo said drivers should exercise caution when passing by Naguilian Road since they would be traveling zigzag.

“Even if we put safety devices along the road but if the drivers are not careful, accidents could continue to happen.”

The 42-kilometer Naguilian Road stretches from the Bontoc-Baguio Road to San Fernando in La Union.

Momo said their investigation of the incident revealed the driver of the bus did not even apply the brakes to slow down.

“When the vehicle is descending, the driver should use the brakes to control the speed of the descent but there were no skid marks which would have indicated that the driver stepped on the brakes,” he said.

Momo said they would leave the investigation of the accident to transport authorities. - With Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan, Rainier Allan Ronda and Jun Elias