The agency is beefing up its road safety initiatives in light of the consecutive accidents.
On Monday, May 5, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon revealed that he was instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure justice is served for the victims of the recent road crashes that resulted to fatalities, including children.
These were the multiple vehicular collison at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) last May 1 and the ramming of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, May 4.
Dizon said that the government intends to do it by fixing the broken system with the aim of making Filipinos feel safe using the country’s public roads again.
The secretary ordered, among others, the regular and mandatory drug tests for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers under the Department Order No. 2025-008, effective immediately.
This mandates comprehensive alcohol and drug testing for all drivers of PUVs, including motorcycle taxi riders, and shall be subject to regular mandatory drug testing before employment.
The testing cost must also be shouldered by the operators and owners of the vehicles.
Aside from that, the DOTr has also ordered the reduction of driving hours for public utility bus (PUB) drivers from six to four hours, strict enforcement of routine roadworthiness check for all vehicles, and immediate implementation of the speed limiter law.
He also announced immediate 90-day suspension of abusive motorists as reported by concerned citizens on social media.
“From the President himself, we must get these families justice and the justice that they deserve. Kung akala niyo nagbibiro kami, nagkakamali kayo. Seseryosohin at totohanin na natin ito,” said Dizon.
The official continued, “Wala na ‘yung dating sistema because obviously the system is broken. Buhay ito eh. Lives are at stake. We need to make the people feel safe on our roads again.“
The transport chief likewise expressed support for the establishment of the Public Transport Safety Board, which had been pushed by an earlier bill by Senator Grace Poe in the Senate.