The Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) on Saturday called the attention of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to take “immediate and decisive action” following the tragic bus accident that occurred on the morning of 8 July in Zamboanga del Sur.

“In light of the incident involving a bus operated by Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) — which was carrying 40 students from St. Joseph College in Sindangan en route to Pagadian City — LCSP urges the LTFRB to preventively suspend the franchises of RTMI’s other operational units, pending a thorough and impartial investigation,” Atty. Albert Sadili, LCSP spokesperson, said.

Reports indicate that the bus fell into a ravine after allegedly suffering a tire blowout while descending a steep section of the road. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle due to the tire explosion. As of this writing, two passengers have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained serious injuries.

“We acknowledge the LTFRB’s issuance of a show cause order to RTMI and the 90-day suspension of the driver’s license by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). However, we express concern over the apparent lack of a preventive suspension order against the bus operator’s franchise, especially in light of the gravity of the incident,” Sadili said.

He added that in previous cases involving public utility vehicles (PUVs) — some even less severe or without resulting in fatalities — the LTFRB had swiftly imposed preventive suspensions on the entire fleet of the operators concerned, in line with its mandate to protect public safety and commuter welfare.