BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Ceres bus the figured in an accident in Antique on Tuesday, Dec. 5, had passed the road worthiness inspection, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Road worthiness inspection is required before the renewal of motor vehicle registration.
LTO Region 6 information officer Riza Otayde also said that the bus registration was updated as well as the licenses of its driver and conductor.
Following the bus accident in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic town, Otayde said the LTO-6 has intensified the road worthiness inspection of both the public utility vehicles and private vehicles in the region especially this holiday season.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dec. 6, the LTO central office said it will intensify its road worthiness inspection of vehicles nationwide.
“If it also requires that the road worthiness inspection of public utility vehicles, especially passenger buses, is done on a weekly basis, so be it,” said LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II.
He added: “What is important is to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users, especially this Christmas season.”
The LTO chief also said the agency began strictly enforcing the “No Registration, No Travel” policy in November.
On Dec. 5, at around 4:30 p.m., the Ceres bus carrying 28 passengers plunged off a cliff along the national highway in Barangay Igbucagay. Seventeen died including the driver, conductor and two inspectors./PN
