The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has fined Precious Grace Bus Co. following an incident on the EDSA Busway where a disabled passenger reportedly caused harm to other passengers, and the bus driver and conductor failed to intervene or report the situation. This action underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all commuters, particularly those with disabilities, in public transportation.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon stated that this measure is in direct compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize commuter safety. “The first and foremost responsibility of the government is to protect the most vulnerable in our society, and one of the most vulnerable is those with disabilities,” Secretary Dizon explained. “When you are on public transport, the safety of all those who are on that PUV should be taken care of, and that was not done here.”
Further disciplinary action has been taken against the bus driver, Mark Ivann Ramos, and conductor, Francis Sauro. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has temporarily suspended their licenses after they failed to report the incident to the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) stationed at the EDSA Busway, and neglected to inform the police about the injuries that occurred.
Secretary Dizon extended a sincere apology to the disabled passenger involved in the incident, identified as Mark, and pledged the DOTr’s full assistance to him and his family. “We will provide the necessary help to Mark and his family, and we sincerely apologize to them, especially to him, for what happened,” said Secretary Dizon.
In addition to penalizing the bus company and suspending the licenses of the personnel, the DOTr will collaborate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify and hold accountable the passengers who were harmed during the incident. “Those people need to be caught. We will contact the PNP to know who those are because they need to be punished,” Secretary Dizon emphasized.
This decisive action by the DOTr reinforces the government’s commitment to upholding the safety and well-being of all commuters and ensuring that public transportation operators and their personnel adhere to their responsibilities in protecting passengers.
