2013 Metro Manila Skyway bus accident
The 2013 Manila Skyway bus accident occurred on December 16, 2013, between Bicutan and Sucat Exits of South Luzon Expressway in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, after a bus fell off the Skyway, crushing a delivery van and fatally wounding the van's driver.[1][2] 19 people died and 19 others were injured.[3][4] The Highway Patrol Group-National Capital Region-South Luzon Expressway described the incident as the worst to have happened along the Skyway.[5]
| 2013 Manila Skyway bus accident | |
|---|---|
  Parañaque Parañaque (Metro Manila) .svg) Parañaque Parañaque (Luzon) .svg) Parañaque Parañaque (Philippines) | |
| Details | |
| Date | December 16, 2013 around 5:15 AM PST |
| Location | West Service Road, Parañaque, Metro Manila |
| Country | Philippines |
| Operator | Don Mariano Transit Corporation |
| Cause | Over speeding |
| Statistics | |
| Passengers | 42 |
| Deaths | 19 |
| Injured | 19 |
| Damage | 2 (a bus and a van) |
Accident
editThe accident occurred in the Manila suburb of Parañaque on December 16, 2013, at around 5:15 AM (PST).[6] The bus, plying a route originating from Novaliches, Quezon City, and bound for Pacita Complex in San Pedro, Laguna, was traveling on Skyway, one of the longest flyovers in the world that runs above the South Luzon Expressway. The bus fell 6 meters (20 ft) from Skyway and crashed on top of a van that was on a service road below.[7] Eighteen passengers of the bus were killed. The driver of the bus, Carmelo Calatcat, later died on December 23.[8][9] As a result of the accident, traffic was slowed down on the highway.[10]
The bus unit involved was a front engine variant of Almazora City Star (body #861) in Isuzu FVR platform.
Investigation
editThe company that owned and operated the bus, Don Mariano Transit, had to suspend transit for thirty days for an investigation into the accident to be carried out. The former Department of Transportation and Communications now the Department of Transportation (Philippines) required the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend all of the 78 buses that Don Mariano Transit owned. The driver of the bus, Carmelo Calatcat, had to undergo a drug test.[11] An audit of over 400,000 public utility buses was executed in Manila following the accident.[12] The driver and operator of the bus faced charges by the authorities.[13]
The Department of Labor and Employment admitted that Don Mariano Transit Corporation's Labor Standards Compliance Certificate was expired since July 2013.[14] It was also reported that Don Mariano Transit did not pay its drivers their monthly salary.[15]
The bus driver, Carmelo Calatcat, tested positive for drug use. Chief Superintendent Arrazad Subong of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol group said that the drug test was irrelevant as their investigation showed that the bus a few moments before the accident occurred had worn out tires and was overspeeding. The driver faced criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple injuries and damage to property. Should he be convicted, he could have faced at least six years of imprisonment but due to the number of fatalities caused by the accident, he could have faced life imprisonment instead.[5] However, he died before he could face trial.[9]
Reaction
editJason Cantil, legal counsel for Don Mariano Transit, said that the accident was an isolated incident. Cantil said that the tires of the bus involved may not have been inspected but claimed that all other buses of the company were in good condition.[16]
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. encouraged public utility vehicles to use speed-limiting or monitoring devices. He said that such devices would help bus operators to prevent accidents similar to the Skyway accident. Coloma added that it is up to legislators to come up with a law mandating operators to install such devices to their vehicles. Coloma also reiterated the government's preference for allowing the private sector to operate public transport as it is more efficient. He said the government's role is to regulate the private sector.[17]
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board plans to make the installation of speed-limiting devices on public utility vehicles as a response to the accident.[5] The Department of Labor and Employment vowed to monitor labor law compliance more strictly.[18]
See also
edit
- 2013 Atimonan road crash
- 2023 Venice bus crash – a similar accident that occurred in Italy nearly ten years later
References
edit- ^ "Philippines bus crash kills 21". BBC. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Bus plunges off Skyway, lands on van". Rappler. December 16, 2013.
- ^ Mogato, Manuel. "Commuter bus crashes off Philippine highway onto van, 22 dead: police". Reuters. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Dayao, Dinna (October 13, 2017). "Skyway: a dangerous highway?". Vera Files. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c Gov’t mulls speed limit devices for PUVs | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines
- ^ "Bus falls off freeway, kills 15 in Philippines". CNN. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Placido, Dharel. "Don Mariano bus falls off Skyway; scores dead". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Philippines bus plunges off highway, killing 22". AFP via The Australian. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Bus driver in Skyway crash dies before he can explain". GMA News Online. December 24, 2013.
- ^ "Skyway accident affects EDSA traffic". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "Driver of ill-fated Don Mariano bus to undergo drug test". GMA News. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Gomez, Lailany. "Bus crash triggers audit of PUBs". Manila Standard Today. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ Cahinhinan, John. "Driver, bus operator to face raps over Skyway accident". Sun Star. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "DOLE releases holiday pay rules - Silobreaker". Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
- ^ Don Mariano Transit’s drivers were not paid monthly salaries – LTFRB | News | GMA News Online
- ^ "Don Mariano Transit: Skyway bus crash an 'isolated' incident". GMA News Online. December 17, 2013.
- ^ "Palace wants speed monitoring devices on PUVs after Skyway accident | Sun.Star". Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
- ^ After bus accident, DOLE vows stricter monitoring of labor law compliance | News | GMA News Online