In a strong demonstration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to road safety, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon rejected the explanation and apology from Florida Bus Co. following a widely circulated video depicting one of its buses racing dangerously on the National Highway in Cagayan on June 8, 2025.
Despite no immediate injuries reported from the incident, Secretary Dizon emphasized that the lack of harm does not diminish the severity of the offense. “Not because no one was hurt, no one had an accident, it’s just like that. I saw the statement and apology of the Florida Bus Co. and I’m telling them now: ‘apology not accepted,'” stated Secretary Dizon.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) swiftly responded by imposing a 30-day suspension on the franchise of 15 buses belonging to Florida Bus Co. These suspended routes include Sta. Ana to Sampaloc in Cagayan, and Baguio to Apayao.
Further punitive measures were enacted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which suspended the licenses of the drivers involved in the incident for 90 days. Additionally, all drivers employed by Florida Bus Co. will be required to undergo mandatory drug testing.
Secretary Dizon issued a stern warning to all Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) companies, underscoring the government’s resolve. “If you think the President and the DOTr are not serious, you will now know that you are mistaken. This is also our message to all PUV companies: if you do this, the consequences of what you did will be heavy,” he declared.
Addressing the drivers directly, Secretary Dizon acknowledged the current job market but stressed the gravity of their actions. “To those bus drivers, it’s hard to lose a job nowadays. But because of the stupidity you did, you have no work for 90 days and if we catch the Florida Bus Co. still driving those drivers, we’ll be sorry,” the Secretary added, reiterating the DOTr’s commitment to strict enforcement.
The DOTr’s decisive action serves as a clear message that reckless driving and disregard for road safety will not be tolerated under the current administration, reinforcing the paramount importance of commuter and motorist safety across the nation.
