LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II – Photo courtesy of LTFRB/Facebook
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has started an investigation into a fatal bus crash in Camarines Sur that left at least five people dead.
LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said a show cause order will be issued against the bus company involved to determine possible violations.
The crash occurred at around 3:25 a.m. on Dec. 26 along the Andaya Highway in Barangay Magais-I, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur.
According to Mendoza, the police report indicated that the driver fell asleep, which led to the crash.
He said the inquiry would examine whether protocols meant to ensure the mental and physical readiness of drivers were followed.
Police said the DLTB bus, which was traveling from Cubao to Gubat, Sorsogon, fell off a cliff estimated to be about 10 meters high.
Five passengers were killed in the incident, while at least 15 others, including the driver and an alternate driver, were injured and taken to a hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon.
Initial checks by the LTFRB showed the bus is registered under Del Motor Works Inc. and holds a Certificate of Public Conveyance issued in 2022 and valid until March next year.
The agency said it would also coordinate with the bus company’s insurance provider regarding claims related to the crash.