Land Transportation Office Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II on Thursday ordered all Regional Directors and District Office heads to intensify the conduct of inspection of passenger utility buses in their respective terminals amid the influx of passengers for the Christmas season.

The order is in line with the instruction of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista to ensure the safety of commuters, travelers, and all road users in anticipation of an increase in the volume of vehicles for the Yuletide season.

Mendoza said the inspection is necessary to prevent fatal road accidents similar to what happened in Antique where several passengers died when the bus plunged into a ravine.

"I am expecting a regular conduct of inspection on all passenger buses leaving their respective bus terminals. We have to do this because what is at stake is the life and limb of the passengers who just want to reach their destination safely," Mendoza said.

Aside from bus inspection, Mendoza also directed all Regional Directors and District Office heads to ensure the mental and physical condition of the drivers amid cases in the past wherein accidents were caused by drivers falling asleep, especially during a long trip.

Part of this measure is to conduct surprise and mandatory drug tests.

Since Day one of his assumption as LTO chief, Mendoza led by example in the government's road safety campaign by initiating bus terminal inspections.

He directed all LTO officials to do the same on a regular basis—and not only during long weekends and breaks when a large exodus of people is expected.

Mendoza said that since Christmas break is already being implemented in some schools, they expect more passengers to troop to bus terminals starting Friday, 15 December.

Mendoza earlier ordered all Regional Directors and District Office heads to start the preparations for road safety and assistance in time for the Christmas break.