Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño Mendoza of the Province of Cotabato directed bus companies to follow the ordinance on loading and unloading passengers in designated areas to ensure their safety.
This developed following the recent bombing of the unit of Yellow Bus Line in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, that killed one passenger and injured 11 others.
Gilbert Garbosa, 56, of Balindog, Kidapawan City, died in the blast.
Mendoza also recommended the passing of the following resolutions: requesting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that all buses traveling in the province are required to install CCTV; and encouraging all bus companies/operators traveling in the province to contact the local chief executives (LCEs) of the towns they pass through to properly lay out security plans and measures to ensure the safety of commuters.
Mendoza said she also recently met the bus companies that ply on different routes in the province and LTFRB to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) for an executive meeting.
Among the bus companies that were invited to the meeting were YBL Company represented by YBL Operations manager Bernardo Bolaño and Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. represented by MSBT field supervisor Roy Olivo.
Mendoza strongly condemned the bombing and called on the authorities to immediately conduct an in-depth investigation right after the incident.
