The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a show-cause order to Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) demanding a full explanation within 24 hours after one of its buses crashed into a shop inside the Agora Bus Terminal in Cagayan de Oro City earlier today.
The swift action from the LTFRB follows a directive from Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who was instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safe and smooth travel of all passengers.
In the show-cause order, the LTFRB is requiring RTMI to detail the circumstances surrounding the incident and outline the measures the company will take to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In a related development, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to immediately suspend the license of the bus driver involved in the crash, pending further investigation.
Secretary Dizon emphasized the government’s commitment to passenger safety and convenience, stating, “President Marcos Jr.’s directive is clear: we must ensure that our public transportation systems are safe and efficient for all Filipinos. This incident in Cagayan de Oro is unacceptable, and we expect a thorough and immediate explanation from RTMI.”
The LTFRB’s decisive action underscores the government’s firm stance on maintaining safety standards within public transportation. This incident comes on the heels of the closure of an illegal makeshift bus terminal in Malibay, Pasay, which Secretary Dizon ordered the LTFRB to shut down following President Marcos Jr.’s directive. Furthermore, other bus companies were previously given a 60-day ultimatum to rectify their terminal facilities to comply with Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) terminal standards.
The LTFRB is committed to a thorough investigation of the Cagayan de Oro incident and will take appropriate action based on RTMI’s explanation and the findings of the inquiry.
