Pedestrians walk beside an overturned bus lying along a busy street at Bicutan after the bus fell off an elevated expressway and crashed into a van below in Taguig city, south of Manila December 16, 2013. At least 21 people were killed during the incident, according to the police. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Don Mariano Transit Corp., the company which owns the bus that fell off the Skyway on Monday and left 18 dead, was allowed to operate this year despite not having a labor standards compliance certificate (LSCC).
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez confirmed that no LSCC was issued to the bus company.
“For 2013, I was informed it (LSCC) was not issued. That can be a ground for revocation or cancellation of franchise,” Ginez said.
A report by state-run Philippine News Agency quoted Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz as saying that the owners of Don Mariano Transit admitted to having an expired LSCC, a prerequisite for an LTFRB franchise and a requirement for bus companies employing drivers and conductors working for a minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 12 hours with overtime pay daily.
“Don Mariano Transit Corporation is covered by DOLE Order 118-A. It was last inspected on July 3, 2012, and issued a Labor Standards Compliance Certificate by the DOLE on July 17, 2012. It has an expired LSCC and has not renewed its application,” Baldoz told PNA.
A driver of Don Mariano earlier admitted he works for 19 hours straight just to reach the earnings quota of P12,500, 10% of which goes to him.
The LTFRB has already imposed a 30-day preventive suspension for all Don Mariano Transit Corp.’s 78 units following the accident. A hearing on the case has been set on January 7.
Violations
Ginez said the board will then decide whether to finally cancel the bus firm’s franchise. He said the Skyway incident is the second major incident involving Don Mariano.
“Under 2011 terms and conditions, we started to count the violations. Ang Don Mariano, may 2 nang major violations. Sa pangatlo ay cancellation or revocation na. Kaya di natin masasabing soft ang LTFRB dito, dahil ini-impose namin ang rules and regulations,” Ginez said.
“Kino-consider natin ang bilang ng namatay. There are instances that we revoked and cancelled the franchise immediately. Tulad nito, kaagad sinuspinde natin ang buong prangkisa. Preventive pa lamang, para pag-aralan natin.”
Skyway officials earlier blamed Don Mariano bus driver Carmelo Calatcat for speeding on the elevated highway, noting that the bus was travelling at 120 kph before the accident.
Calatcat, who remains inside the intensive care unit of the Parañaque Doctors’ Hospital, has been charged before the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to properties.
A civil case has also been filed against the owner of the bus firm.(MNS)