The Senate Committee on Public Services begins its investigation into the tourist bus accident in Tanay, Rizal last month.
The mishap on February 20 resulted in the death of 15 persons, 13 of whom were students of Bestlink College in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The victims were on their way to a fied trip in Sacramento Adventure Camp in Tanay when the bus slammed into a post on a downhill road.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra stressed the need to modernize land transportation to minimize road accidents.
He noted that the bus contracted by Panda Coach Tours was 29 years old.
He said the bus was registered in 2004 but it was manufactured in 1988.
Delgra noted the Supreme Court had already upheld the Deparment of Transportation’s position that 15-year-old buses must already be phased out.
Committee Chairman Grace Poe expressed her dismay over the lack of an autonomous body that investigates vehicular accidents.
She said the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have acted as judges, jury and executioners as there are no other agencies handling road accidents.
She also questioned what happens to investigations for tragedies involving vehicles in the provinces.
