The Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) has renewed its call for transport cooperatives to strictly comply with the Fleet Management System (FMS) under the Public Transport Modernization Program following a viral social media video showing an overloaded passenger jeepney in Iloilo.
LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II said the agency will not tolerate practices that endanger commuters, stressing that passenger safety must always take precedence over financial considerations.
The reminder came after a video circulated online showing a Lambunao-bound passenger jeepney leaving the Pavia People’s Terminal in Ungka, Pavia with passengers riding on the roof and clinging to the rear and sides of the vehicle.
Following the incident, the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit (IIU) issued a show cause order against the registered operator and placed the driver’s license under a 90-day preventive suspension pending the outcome of the administrative investigation.
Geduspan said the increasing number of reports from concerned citizens has helped authorities identify unsafe transport practices.
“These incidents have become more prevalent. We are grateful to the netizens who continue to document and report these violations because they are also helping protect the safety of fellow passengers,” he said.
The regional director also rejected the operator’s explanation that deploying additional units during late or final trips would lead to financial losses.
“The cost of preventing an accident is far less than the damage, injuries, or even loss of life that may result from operating overloaded vehicles,” Geduspan said.
Initial findings of the IIU showed that the driver’s actions compromised the stability of the vehicle and posed serious risks not only to passengers but also to other motorists and pedestrians.
Investigators also discovered that the jeepney’s conductor did not possess a valid conductor’s license.
LTO-6 said the reported violations may constitute breaches of Sections 32(b) and 51 of Republic Act No. 4136, which prohibit passengers from riding on the roof, outside, or rear of a moving vehicle and prohibit drivers from knowingly allowing such dangerous practices.
The operator may also face administrative liability under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, which penalizes allowing passengers to ride on top of vehicles or on running boards, employing reckless or irresponsible drivers, and violating the conditions of a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).
The registered operator has been ordered to appear before the LTO-6 office and submit a written explanation within five working days from receipt of the order, explaining why administrative sanctions should not be imposed. Failure to respond within the prescribed period may be treated as a waiver of the right to be heard.
LTO-6 also reiterated that registered operators are accountable for the safe operation of their public utility vehicles and the conduct of their drivers and personnel.
Meanwhile, the suspended driver has been directed to immediately surrender his physical driver’s license to the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit while the administrative case is being resolved.IMT
