SINCE a ban for buses to ply the Transcentral Highway cannot be immediately imposed without legislation, the Cebu Provincial Police Office instead set up a checkpoint to discourage buses and big trucks from using it.
As improvements on security measures are being mapped out, the provincial police organized a task force to establish the civil liability of the owner of the tourist bus that fell from the Transcentral Highway last Sunday, killing 20 Iranian nationals and driver Jaime Batoon.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 said 29 vehicles owned by JD Rent-a-car failed the road worthiness test, radio dySS reported yesterday.
The LTO gave them 30 days to comply with the requirements.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal said the checkpoint is being manned by personnel from the Balamban Police Station starting Monday.
The tragedy injured 23 other Iranian nationals.
Digal said he is optimistic motorists would understand since the move is meant for their safety.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will not be conducting a checkpoint.
CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador said banning buses and large trucks from using the Transcentral Highway or setting up a checkpoint should be authorized by concerned agencies, like the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, or by a local legislation banning buses.
As agreed during the City Traffic Operations Management board meeting, which Comendador attended, more road signs for the motorists’ safety will be set up along the stretch of the Transcentral Highway.
The Cebu City Government, through the Citom, will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways in the plan to put up permanent road advisories.
“What’s the use of conducting a checkpoint if you do not have the authority to ban buses? We cannot act on it without any authority from the agencies or perhaps, a legislation by the city council,” he said.
The Transcentral Highway is a 32.5-kilometer highway, which provides a shorter route from eastern Cebu to the western seaboard.
Half of the national highway is within Cebu City while the other half is in Balamban town.
One option that can be done to minimize road mishaps is designating a “turn-out point” along the highway where drivers of buses or large trucks can re-check their brakes and engines before continuing the trip.
Comendador said it is being done in other countries. The highway patrol group can man the turn-out point.
On the creation of the task force, Digal said it was organized based on the directive of Police Regional Office 7 Lani-o Nerez last Monday.
The task force, which Digal did not name, is headed by Senior Insp. Ruben Cuizon of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch.
Cuizon’s team, which conducted an ocular inspection in Balamban, was at the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital to get the names and statements of the injured victims.
Digal said the statements of the victims will be used in establishing basis in filing a civil case against the owner of the tourist bus boarded by the Iranians.
Since Jaime Batoon, one of the owners, died in the tragedy, Digal said Batoon’s partner Marcelin Marimon may be named as respondent in the civil case, Digal said. (JTG)