Patients and ambulances are assured uninterrupted access to the EDSA busway after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) relieved the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) official who flagged an ambulance carrying a cancer patient.

In a memorandum dated 18 February, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued a “Notice to Explain and Order to Relieve from Duty” to Special Operations Group Head Rayson Dela Torre following the recent incident at the EDSA Busway–Santolan Station, posted on social media by Manuel Palileo.

The ambulance was reportedly stopped because it was transporting a patient for a scheduled medical check-up rather than an emergency.

Dela Torre reportedly said they would not allow passengers using the busway for scheduled check-ups, permitting only critical emergencies.

However, Lopez said this contradicts existing DOTr policy issued in November 2023, which allows “on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police” to use the busway.

The policy does not limit access only to critical or emergency cases.

Lopez, thus, directed Dela Torre to explain the incident within three days and ordered his relief from duty while the investigation is ongoing.

The DOTr also instructed the SAICT to conduct a reorientation of busway personnel to prevent similar incidents.

“The DOTr expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the patient’s family. We are assuring the public that necessary measures are being taken to ensure that enforcement policies will be implemented with compassion and that the people’s safety will always be the transport agency’s priority and paramount concern,” the agency said.