Marcos orders review of drivers’ licensing, audit of bus operators after road tragedies

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that tragic road accidents would not happen again as he tasked concerned agencies to enforce necessary reforms to prevent loss of lives.

In a video message, Marcos expressed his heartfelt condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones and to those who were injured in the recent accidents at the SCTEX toll plaza and NAIA Terminal 1.

"These incidents should never have happened. And now, we will ensure they never happen again,'' Marcos said.

He disclosed that he had already tasked Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to move decisively, particularly to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the accidents.

Marcos also wants to put in place the necessary reforms to prevent further loss of lives.
 
He said the government would implement the following actions:

•  Review of driver licensing to ensure that only fit, capable, and responsible individuals—whether driving public or private vehicles—are allowed on our roads;
• A nationwide audit of bus operators, with clear sanctions for those who fail to comply with safety and maintenance standards; and 
• A directive to the Department of Labor to crack down on unsafe and exploitative practices in the transport sector —because driver fatigue, long hours, and pressure to meet quotas should never put lives at risk.

Marcos vowed that the victims' lives would not be lost in vain.

''We owe it to the victims and their families to act—not only with sympathy, but with resolve,'' Marcos said.

''We will make the changes that need to be made. We will demand accountability where it is due. And we will build a transport system that truly protects Filipino people,'' he added.

To recall, 10 individuals, including four children, were killed in a multiple-vehicle collision at the Tarlac City Toll Plaza on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway last Thursday.

Two other individuals were also killed just on Sunday when an SUV rammed into the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.—LDF, GMA Integrated News