Senator Aquilino Pimentel III has urged the Senate to review the implementation of the Speed Limiter Law following two deadly road crashes, including the recent incident at NAIA Terminal 1 that killed two people, including a 5-year-old girl.
“I call on the Senate to exercise its oversight function and conduct a thorough review of how RA 10916 is being implemented — or not implemented — by the Department of Transportation,” said Pimentel, who is running for congressman in Marikina’s first district.
He cited the death of a young girl who was simply accompanying her father, an OFW, to the airport. “No parent should have to bury a child under such horrific circumstances.”
Republic Act No. 10916, enacted in 2016, requires public utility and certain commercial vehicles to install calibrated speed limiters. Proper enforcement could have prevented many such tragedies, according to the senator.
“Hindi dapat nangyari ito kung sineryoso lang ang pagpapatupad ng batas. Batas ito, hindi mungkahi lang. Kailan pa tayo kikilos. Araw-araw na lang may namamatay sa kalsada?”
Though the SUV involved in the NAIA crash wasn’t confirmed as a public utility vehicle, Pimentel stressed that failure to strictly enforce road safety laws across both public and private sectors—especially in high-risk areas like airports—continues to endanger lives.
He also pointed to a recent crash at an SCTEX toll gate where a passenger bus collided with several vehicles, killing ten and injuring 37.
Pimentel called on the DOTr to audit transport compliance nationwide and require all terminal contractors to strictly follow safety laws.
“If all public vehicles followed the speed limiter law, we would see fewer tragedies like this. This law exists for the protection of every Filipino,” he concluded.IMT
