Senator Koko Pimentel III reminded the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the need to properly implement Republic Act 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016.
A recent five-vehicle collision involving two buses, a truck, and two private cars in Libmanan, Camarines Sur resulted in the death of three people and injured 10 others.
“Although the investigation has yet to establish who is at fault for the accident, I think this is an opportune time to remind the DOTr to properly implement RA 10916, as it is its duty”, said Pimentel.
RA 10916 lapsed into law on July 21, 2016, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 of the Constitution, which provides that bills submitted by Congress not signed or vetoed by the President within 30 days shall become law.
The law covers closed vans, haulers or cargo trailers, public utility vehicles (PUVs), shuttle service vehicles, tanker trucks, and other vehicles to be determined by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Section 5 of the law requires the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to deny registration and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to withhold franchises to non-compliant vehicles.
The legislator said, “I will formally request the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide my office with a detailed report on their implementation of the law, or an explanation why they have not yet done so.”
The accident claimed the lives of Ronel Peña and his wife, Susanne Maner, orphaning their nine-month old son, Naoki William Peña, who was thrown out of the vehicle they were riding but survived the incident.
Another fatality was public elementary principal Leoncia Mangarin, who was riding in an SUV involved in the accident.
The relatives of Peña have issued an appeal for breast milk and diapers for the infant.