Duterte orders stricter enforcement of road safety checks after deadly truck mishap in Cotabato —DOTR

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a more stringent enforcement of road safety checks following a deadly road mishap involving a truck that fell into a ravine in South Cotabato, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday.

A truck that was loaded with passengers fell off a cliff in Barangay Lamsalome in T'boli town last Tuesday. At least 20 people died, while several others were brought to the hospital.

According to the DOTr, Duterte had a meeting with Transportation Arthur Tugade and other officials on Wednesday wherein he gave instructions to "intensify roadworthiness checks, improve driver’s licensing requirements, periodic drug testing, and financial capability checks for operators."

Also in attendance were Senator Bong Go, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon, and officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press release Thursday, the DOTr said an executive order on stricter road safety enforcement will soon be issued.

According to the department, Duterte has directed the "immediate roadworthiness inspection of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) and the conduct of regular inspections in PUV terminals."

The president has pushed for the "urgent nationwide implementation of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) to improve the level of safety and security of passengers."

“Modernization of public transport is non-negotiable,” the chief executive was quoted as saying in the release.

Duterte likewise underscored that "private vehicles used beyond their legitimate purpose should be banned," and that "the need for PUV operators to invest in road safety equipment and facilities should be pushed further," the DOTr said.

When it comes to licensing requirements, the President stated that driving a motor vehicle should require a minimum IQ level, and that drug tests be made mandatory for drivers to reduce the risk of accidents.

“The loss of lives due to crashes is too unacceptable. We already have good roads but there are a lot of ignorant drivers,” the DOTr quoted Duterte.

“When you take drugs, you are out to hurt somebody.”

Moreover, the President also ordered the police to "pursue criminal cases against drivers involved in road crashes," and "recommended to study the imposition of minimum imprisonment sentences to erring drivers involved in such crashes."

For his part, the DOTr said Secretary Tugade has committed to improve road safety on three points.

These include roadworthiness checks through the Motor Vehicle Inspection System; comprehensive driver training and education under the “Tsuper Iskolar” Program with TESDA; and improved driver’s licensing requirements using the IT system of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

"Sa utos ng ating Pangulo, sisikapin naming masiguro na tanging mga roadworthy vehicles lang ang bibiyahe sa kalsada, at lahat ng driver ay may sapat na kaalaman at disiplina sa pagmamaneho,” the DOTr chief said.

The ill-fated truck fell off the cliff in T'boli early morning on Tuesday.

The victims were on their way home from a swimming escapade in General Santos City.

T'boli Mayor Dibu Tuan had bared that some of the survivors heard the driver shout that the truck lost its brakes as they were traveling the newly opened T’boli-Gensan shortcut road, but an investigation was still ongoing. —LDF, GMA News