LTFRB issues show cause order vs. bus company involved in fatal SCTEX crash

May 2, 2025 , 01:01 PM

By Bea Rollo

(May 2, 2025) — The Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a show cause order to the bus company involved in a fatal multi-vehicle collision along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) on Labor Day, May 1.

The Pangasinan Solid North Transit Inc./Dagupan Bus Co. Inc. has been asked to appear and explain why its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) should not be suspended, cancelled, or revoked. The company and the bus driver are also required to attend a hearing scheduled for May 7.

“Failure on the part of the respondent to file an answer within the prescribed period and to attend the hearing of this case on the aforementioned date shall be considered a waiver to be heard, and this case shall be submitted for resolution based on the records of the Board,” the order reads.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has earlier ordered the LTFRB to preventively suspends for not more than 30 days the Pangasinan Solid North Transit Inc./Dagupan Bus Co. Inc.

In response, the LTFRB invoked its authority under Executive Order No. 202 and the Public Service Act to suspend the affected operator’s Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC No. 75-3266).

It also ordered a series of mandatory compliance steps during the suspension period, including a road safety seminar for drivers, drug testing, vehicle roadworthiness inspections, and submission of insurance compensation proof for the victims.

The respondent-operators were also directed to surrender the physical license plates of the involved buses to the DoTr’s Legal Division.

The LTO, MMDA, PNP-HPG, and other enforcement agencies were ordered to apprehend and impound any unit found operating during the suspension.

The LTFRB emphasized that the order is “immediately executory” to ensure public safety pending the final results of the investigation.

The agency cited the initial report from the Tarlac Provincial Police Office (PPO), which detailed that the passenger bus slammed into a line of stopped vehicles at the Tarlac Exit Toll Plaza.

The impact triggered a chain reaction involving four other vehicles.

The drivers of the involved vehicles along with their unidentified passengers, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital.

As of writing, at least 10 were confirmed dead, 4 still unidentified, and over 30 were injured.

The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation.

The fatal crash has renewed calls for stricter road safety enforcement among public utility bus operators nationwide.

(With reports from Nina Ongpauco, Gerard de la Pena News5)
(AAD)

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