By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Sept. 11 (PNA) — The decision of the Land Transportation Franchising Board (LTFRB) to cancel the franchise of Valisno Express bus company which was involved in a fatal crash which killed four people last month is final, the Board said on Friday.
LTFRB in a statement said that the plates of the bus company’s 24 units have already been confiscated.
“The confiscation of the plates for hire of the 24 units which were surrendered and already in the possession of the Board has been made permanent,” LTFRB said.
LTFRB pointed out that the plates will be soon be destructed and destroyed prior to their return over to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
It also noted that it found the operator of the bus company “to have violated or willfully and continuously refusing to comply with the proper orders rules and regulations of the Board.”
The Board, meanwhile, ordered the bus company’s Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) of 24 of its units cancelled, revoked and reverted back to the state.
“It is clear that Valisno Bus company had violated rules and regulations stipulated in their CPC thus the Board is cancelling and revoking the permit to operate for 24 of its units,” said LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez.
Ginez earlier confirmed the cancellation of the bus company’s franchise on his official Twitter account on Thursday.
To recall, the Board earlier slapped the bus company with a 30-day suspension over a fatal crash which killed four and injured 16 others the same day the incident happened on Aug. 12.
The fatal crash happened after a Valisno Express bus with plate number TXV 715 crashed a concrete arch along Quirino Highway.
The bus driver identified as George Pacis, however, escaped but later surrendered to police.
LTFRB then conducted a hearing on the incident on Aug 18, and again on Aug. 28, however, the bus operator, Rosalinda Cando-Valisno was a no-show in both hearings. (PNA)