Manila – In the wake of the recent bus crash in Antique that resulted in 17 fatalities, Senator Grace Poe has called for the urgent passage of Senate Bill 1121, known as the Philippine Transportation Safety Board Act. She extended her sympathies to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for improved transportation safety measures.
According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed legislation aims to oversee strict inspections of public vehicles, driver’s licensing, and the implementation of safety measures to prevent road accidents. “The establishment of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is crucial for investigating transportation-related incidents across all modes, including air, land, sea, railways, and pipeline systems,” she stated. Poe has been a long-standing advocate for the creation of the NTSB by law, aiming to unify the overlapping responsibilities of various agencies related to transportation safety.
She also called for the proper allocation of fees collected from vehicle registration and relevant taxes towards enhancing road safety infrastructure, such as street lights, railings, and signboards. Poe expects the government to provide necessary assistance to those affected by the tragic incident, which reportedly occurred due to a brake malfunction on Tuesday afternoon.
