Nanawagan si Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo ng parehong “roadworthiness standards” sa mga sasakyan ng gobyerno at mga pribadong sasakyan matapos ng malagim na aksidente sa Orani, Bataan.

Sa isang pahayag na inilabas ngayong Martes, sinabi niya na, “roadworthiness standards of the DOTR (Department of Transportation) PUV (public utility vehicle) Modernization Program and LTO (Land Transportation Office) standards for private vehicles must also be the same standards applied and enforced for all official  government vehicles.”

Ito ang tugon ni Tulfo sa malagim na aksidente sa bus na ikinamatay ng guro ng pampublikong paaralan ng Payatas na si Janice Pontillas at ikinasugat ng marami pang iba.

Ang bus, na may lulan na 48 pasahero, ay bumangga sa mabatong bahagi ng kalsada bago magtanghali noong Nobyembre 5, habang bumibiyahe patungong Bataan para sa isang seminar gender and development.

Hiniling din ni Tulfo na ma-inspeksyon ang lahat ng mga service vehicle ng Department of Education (DepEd).

Ang sangkot na sasakyan ay 15 taong gulang, aniya. “The LTO must ascertain the detailed maintenance history of that vehicle and require DepEd to give unfettered access to that vehicle’s maintenance records and driving history of all motor pool personnel of the QC (Quezon City) Division of City Schools.” 

Binigyang-diin ng mambabatas na ang pagiging sasakyan ng gobyerno o ang pagkakaroon ng “red plate” ay hindi dapat maging eksepsiyon o maging sanhi ng kaluwagan sa mga roadworthiness clearance.

“I expect full transparency and disclosure for the sake of my constituent, Janice Pontillas, the teacher of Payatas B Elementary School who died, and for her family,” aniya.

“My office is already addressing the assistance, benefits, and funeral needs of the bereaved family. I will personally visit the family to pay respects.”

Photo Credit: House of Representatives website