Manila: Senators on Tuesday called for urgent and coordinated action to improve road safety during the Holy Week break following a wave of vehicular mishaps, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement, better safety protocols, and stronger regulatory oversight of public transport operations.

According to Philippine News Agency, Senator Grace Poe emphasized the importance of coordination between transportation agencies and local government units (LGUs) to ensure visibility of traffic enforcers and consistent enforcement of traffic laws. She stressed that with more motorists on the road, authorities cannot afford to have lackluster enforcement of traffic regulations.

The lawmaker also renewed her call for the creation of an independent transportation safety board designed to conduct timely, evidence-based investigations into road crashes and recommend preventive policies. Poe stated that such a body would have a mandate to improve safety measures and ensure their implementation.

Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo highlighted multiple violations during a recent surprise inspection at several bus company motorpools in Metro Manila. Accompanied by personnel from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Tulfo assessed the companies' compliance with maintenance and safety standards.

Tulfo, who is also the vice chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, noted that many mechanics lack protective gear such as gloves, boots, aprons, and goggles. He also observed that some equipment lacked safety covers and had tangled electrical wirings, with poor ventilation exposing workers to heat and hazardous fumes. He described these conditions as extremely dangerous and a serious accident waiting to happen.

The senator further found that many motorpools could not present valid TESDA certifications for their mechanics, and some lacked proper maintenance logs or warranty booklets for bus units. Tulfo directed motorpool managers to submit maintenance and compliance records to the LTFRB, LTO, and TESDA, which will then be forwarded to the Senate for upcoming hearings.