Nueva Ecija bus tragedy underscores need for Nat’l Transport Safety Board

Road accidents such as the Tuesday’s bus tragedy in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija which killed over 20 people underscore the need for the creation of a National Transportation Safety Board, a senator said Tuesday. (Photo: Eugene Alvin Villar/Wikipedia)

MANILA–Road accidents such as the Tuesday’s bus tragedy in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija which killed over 20 people underscore the need for the creation of a National Transportation Safety Board, a senator said Tuesday.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, extended her sympathies to the families of victims of the bus accident but at the same time stressed the importance of preventing such tragedies.

“Nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ng mga biktima ng trahedyang ito (We sympathize with the families of the victims of this tragedy),” Poe said in a statement.

“Muling pinaiigting ng pangyayaring ito ang pangangailangan natin sa isang National Transport Safety Board (This incident intensifies the need to create a National Transport Safety Board),” she added.

She, meanwhile, called on the bus company and transport authorities to conduct immediate investigation to penalize those at fault and give justice to the victims.

Poe earlier filed Senate Bill 162 which seeks to create an independent and non-regulatory panel that will oversee and coordinate efforts among various agencies involved in overall management of land, air, maritime and railway transportation.

The functions of the board include conducting independent accident investigations; supporting safety programs based on continuing reviews of causes of unfortunate incidents; and assessing the operating practices and regulations of transportation-oriented government agencies.