LTFRB suspends franchise of bus firm in road mishap

BATANGAS, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the franchise of Jam Liner whose bus figured in a road mishap on the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) in Ibaan town last Monday morning, leaving five passengers dead and more than 20 others wounded.

Lawyer Nelson Laluces, LTFRB chairman, said in a phone interview that the Jam Liner bus with license plate DXV-511 was operating under a franchise covering nine other buses.

The bus, en route to Batangas City, collided with a Manila-bound cargo jeepney and fell into a 25-foot deep ravine.

Laluces said the suspension order was to be served yesterday and the LTFRB would “conduct the necessary investigation and eventually file the appropriate charges, if any, against the bus company.”

Depending on the outcome of the probe, Laluces said Jam Liner’s license could be revoked or its drivers subjected to retraining.

“We are still waiting for the police report which will be one of the bases in our investigation,” he added

Luz Lumbrera, LTFRB-Batangas assistant director, said in a phone interview that the families of those killed are expected to receive at least P50,000 each in insurance, while those injured are entitled to at least P12,500 each.

Chief Inspector Von Nicasio, Lipa City fire marshal, identified four of the five fatalities as Gilbert Calaluan, 30; Marcelo Bagos, 42; Benita Santos; and the bus conductor Aden Llanes, 41. The fifth fatality, a woman, remained unidentified. 

Those injured were brought to the Batangas Regional Hospital, St. Patrick Hospital and Golden Gate Hospital.