LTFRB suspends 32 RORO buses after deadly Palawan crash

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday announced that it has ordered the 30-day suspension of a bus firm's 32 units following the death of seven people in a bus crash in Palawan last week.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said he also issued a show cause order against the Roro Bus Transport Services after one of its buses collided with a Toyota Innova at the naitonal highway in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Puerto Princesa last August 23.

Police reports that the southbound car lost control and collided with the bus which was travelling on the opposite direction.

The LTFRB said that based on the record of the Land Transportation Office, the bus was not registered by the operator as for-hire public utility bus service nor it was registered as for-hire or private classification vehicle for this year.

"We need to act swiftly on this case to ensure that buses with questionable road worthiness and not duly registered under the law are taken out of our roads to protect the public," Ginez said.

The LTFRB's show cause order also directed the bus firm to explain within 72 hours why its certificates of public convenience should not be suspended or canceled.

The LTFRB has set the hearing on the case on September 4.