Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has placed an alarm and summoned the owner of a passenger bus that went viral for emitting black smoke. In a statement on Wednesday, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the actions were in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order to ensure that all road laws, including anti-smoke-belching, are strictly implemented. The alarm placed on the passenger bus was meant to ensure that there would be no transactions involving the vehicle pending the result of the investigation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LTO expressed gratitude to netizens for posting violations on social media, as it aids in tracking down offenders. Mendoza emphasized that there was "no doubt" the passenger bus violated the anti-smoke-belching law. The incident led to the issuance of a show cause order (SCO) signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante. The order demanded that the registered owner of the Sta. Monica Transport Service Cooperative explain why they should not be penalized for violating Section 46 of Republic Act No. 8749, also known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999."

The SCO further directed the owner to present the inspection report and any relevant maintenance records of the bus during the scheduled hearing. The hearing was set for September 10 at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City.