LTFRB conducts surprise inspection on PITX buses for Holy Week

Land Transportation Office chief Jay Art Tugade conducted a surprise bus inspection at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Saturday.

According to a report by Bernadette Reyes on "24 Oras Weekend," bus tires, lights, and documents were thoroughly examined.

During the inspection, a bus was seen having bald tires and a broken light, so it was not permitted to travel.

The driver said that he consistently checks the bus before traveling.

“Chineck namin yan kahapon eh pati itong madaling araw, pasado naman po. Ngayon lang po nagkataon napundi mga ilaw sa likod,” said the bus driver.

Bus drivers were also drug tested to see if they were fit to drive. A bus driver was prevented from driving after admitting that he used illegal drugs.

“Hindi lang po buhay ng nagmamaneho ang nakataya po rito, pati mga buhay po ng ating mga pasahero. May mga bata, may matatanda,” said Tugade.

(It's not just the bus driver's life that is at stake, it's also about the safety of our passengers - the children and the elderly.)

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Major General Edgar Ala Okubo also inspected bus terminals and docks.

“‘Yung mga bahay nila na iniwan nila na dapat ihabilin nila meron silang mga kapitbahay na at least mag-check sa mga naiwan nilang gamit,” he reminded the travelers.

(Those who will be away from their homes should ask neighbors to check in on their property.)

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) also reminded the passengers who will pass by NLEX and SCTEX this Holy Week to load their RFID before traveling. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News