Bus firm suspended for Bataoil road mishap

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Tranportation Franchising and Regulatory Board suspended yesterday for 30 days a bus company pending an investigation into an accident that injured Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil.

LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said the Dagupan Bus Co. Inc. was also required to explain why its certificate of public conveyance should not be cancelled. “We have signed the decision that will take effect as soon as possible,” he said.

Iway said the particular franchise that will be suspended covers 19 units, including the bus that collided head-on with a van occupied by Bataoil, his 13-year-old daughter, and two companions Thursday morning. The bus driver allegedly tried to avoid a motorcycle and hit Bataoil’s vehicle on the opposite lane.

He said the bus firm was required to surrender the license plates of 19 buses covered by the suspended franchise and the bus drivers undergo retraining.