President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure the protection of commuters from abusive drivers, Malacañang announced Thursday.
The directive comes after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued show cause orders to owners of 1,165 vehicles that failed roadworthiness checks. Additionally, 671 drivers have been suspended—574 due to road crashes causing injuries or death, and 97 after testing positive for drugs.
“There is a directive coming from the President that there should be more protection to the commuters, to everyone, from abusive drivers,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a press briefing.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon earlier formed a special task force to review road safety protocols and reduce traffic accidents.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2018 report, the Philippines had a road fatality rate of 12.3 per 100,000 people—higher than Europe’s 9.3.
Castro emphasized that the government is determined to uphold road safety. “So, ito po ay napakaganda po dahil ipinapakita po natin sa taumbayan na sila ay dapat na safe sa daan. At hindi po dapat abusuhin ang anumang pribilehiyo na ikaw ay maging driver sa kalye,” she said.
She also voiced support for a proposed measure that protects drivers from detention if they can prove they practiced “defensive driving” in an accident. However, she noted that investigations must still follow due process.
“May mga pagkakataon po na sa pagi-imbestiga, hindi naman agad nakikita kung sino iyong may sala… Kasama na rin po sa due process,” she said.