MANILA, Philippines - The recent bus accidents in the country including the one that killed comedian Arvin "Tado" Jimenez and several others has prompted Pres. Benigno Aquino III to call for a meeting of government agencies responsible for road safety.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is "very concerned" with the situation of public buses and he wants to know why deadly accidents continue to happen despite the government's efforts to ensure the safety of motorists and passengers.
"Road safety is a concern and so the President is concerned of this latest incident," Lacierda said at a televised press briefing on Monday.
The Palace official said the meeting between Aquino and the relevant government agencies has yet to be set.
He also reiterated Malacañang's earlier statement that they do not have a problem with the performance of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez.
A Florida Trans passenger bus plunged into a 150-meter deep ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province last Friday, killing at least 14 people.
Read: Comedian Tado is dead
The STAR had reported that initial investigation showed that the license plate TXT-872 used by the ill-fated bus was actually registered to Norberto Cue Sr. of Mt. Province Cable Tours.
The LTFRB has suspended 228 buses of G.V. Florida Transport and 10 buses registered to Cue for 30 days.
Last December, several people were also killed when a passenger bus of the Don Mariano Transit fell from the Skyway in Taguig City.