LTFRB suspends 15 buses after fatal SCTEX accident

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday placed 15 public utility buses under preventive suspension following a fatal multiple-vehicle collision at the Tarlac City Toll Plaza in SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway).

The incident, which left at least 10 dead and more than 37 others injured, involved a unit of Dagupan Bus, operated by Solid North.

In a statement, the LTFRB said the 15 buses under Case No. CO-EB-2025-04-058 are suspended for a period of 30 days, effective immediately.

The LTFRB also directed the bus operator to undergo a road safety seminar for all drivers assigned to the units, conduct a mandatory drug test, pass a roadworthiness inspection of all suspended buses, and submit a video documentation of the inspection, seminar, and drug testing.

The operator was also instructed to surrender all physical plates of the suspended units to the LTFRB Legal Division.

According to the LTFRB, units still operating will be apprehended and impounded by the Land Transportation Office, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group.

Insurance claims

Meanwhile, the LTFRB ordered the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency to immediately process and release the insurance claims for the victims.

“I instructed PAMI to immediately address the needs of those who are involved in the road crash. They should start identifying the dead bodies and indemnify the families—Php 400,000 for each deceased passenger,” LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said.

The LTFRB said the maximum insurance coverage is P400,000 for each bus passenger involved in an accident.

It added that non-passengers affected by the crash, including pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles, have a maximum indemnity of P200,000.

The LTFRB also directed the operator to provide proof of insurance payouts to victims. —VAL, GMA Integrated News