11 Ceres buses suspended over fatal collision

BACOLOD CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended for 30 days the franchises of 11 buses of Ceres Liner.

LTFRB-Western Visayas director Romulo Bernardes confirmed to The STAR yesterday that he issued the suspension order a day after two Ceres buses figured in a collision that killed four persons and injured 47 others in E. B. Magalona, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

The two buses were among the 11 suspended buses plying the Escalante-Bacolod and Victorias-Bacolod routes in Negros Occidental.

The suspension order was received by the Vallacar Transit, operator of Ceres Liner, on July 24.

Collin Derk Isidto, vice president for legal affairs of Vallacar Transit, said they would comply with the requirements set in the suspension order.

“We are hoping to comply with the requirements soon and resume operation, as this affects passengers in Escalante and Victorias,” Isidto said.

In his order, Bernardes required the drivers of the 11 buses to undergo road safety seminars and drug tests.

The company was required to submit the certificates of registration and official receipts from the Land Transportation Office and the names of the drivers as well as surrender plates of the 11 buses.

Jesideth Seballos, legal and media affairs officer of Vallacar Transit, said of the 47 injured passengers, 17 have been discharged from the hospital.

Seballos said the families of the fatalities would receive P150,000 in insurance claims and financial assistance from the company.

The company shouldered the medical expenses of the injured passengers.