Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for swift and decisive action following the recent fatal crashes at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway toll plaza and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 where scores were killed.
Marcos demanded accountability and announced measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. He instructed the Department of Transportation to immediately identify those responsible and enforce safety reforms in the transport system.In a video message, Marcos extended his condolences to the families of the victims.“Ten lives were lost in a devastating collision in Tarlac. Days later, two more – one of them a child – were taken in a tragic accident at the airport. These incidents should never have happened. We are taking immediate steps to ensure they never happen again,” said Marcos. The president ordered a review of driver licensing practices such that only responsible drivers are allowed on the roa, as well as a nationwide audit of bus operators to make sure they follow safety and maintenance standards. He also instructed the Department of Labor to crack down on unsafe practices in the transport sector, particularly the exploitation of drivers through long hours and undue pressure to meet quotas.“We owe it to the victims and their families to act – not only with sympathy, but with resolve. These lives will not be lost in vain,” Marcos added.
