LTFRB raids Jell Transport terminals

MANILA, Philippines - Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) enforcers recently conducted raids on terminals owned by the Jell Transport bus firm in Metro Manila, an official said yesterday.

The LTFRB enforcers removed the plate numbers of 75 buses covered by the agency’s 30-day suspension order after one of its buses, driven by Mario Villamar, killed a three-year-old girl and crushed her mother’s left arm along EDSA last Aug. 10.

LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing said the raids were carried out Thursday and Friday after the bus firm refused to heed the suspension order he issued last Tuesday.

He said they removed the license plates of 75 buses plying the Alabang-Fairview route “to ensure they cannot leave their garage.”

Suansing said he directed the bus firm’s operator to explain their side during a hearing on Sept. 1.

He said they will also check records of past mishaps involving Jell Transport, and may cancel its franchise if it is found to be a “recidivist.”

Suansing said they are now in the process of drafting a new policy, in which the franchises of a bus, jeep, or trucking firm will be suspended if one of their units becomes involved in deadly accidents.

“We are finalizing the new guideline and will conduct public hearing because this will cover all yellow plates or public utility vehicles,” Suansing said.

Meanwhile, police said Villamar has yet to raise the funds for P36,000 bail meted on him – P30,000 for homicide through reckless imprudence and P6,000 for serious physical injury through reckless imprudence.

As of yesterday afternoon, Villamar was still detained at the Quezon City Police District-Traffic Sector 4 office. He was arrested following the accident.

Police Officer 2 Rizal Pascual said the bus firm has expressed its intention to forge a settlement with the victims’ family.

“However, since the cases have already been filed, it would be up to the courts to decide on that if and when the parties agree to a settlement,” he said.

 – Perseus Echeminada, Reinir Padua