Twin May disasters 'should never have happened'

On Thursday, May 1, 10 persons, including four children, were killed and more than 37 others were injured in a multiple-vehicle collision at the SCTEX Tarlac City toll plaza.

- SONNY COLOMA

Three days later, on Sunday, May 4, two persons, a five-year-old girl and a 29 year-old Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), were killed at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1.

In a taped message to the nation, President Marcos said: ”These incidents should never have happened. And now, we will ensure they never happen again.”

He cited three action measures: First, a “review of driver licensing to ensure that only fit, capable, and responsible individuals—whether driving public or private vehicles—are allowed on our roads; Second, “a nationwide audit of bus operators, with clear sanctions for those who fail to comply with safety and maintenance standards; and Third, “a directive to the Department of Labor (and Employment) to crack down on unsafe and exploitative practices in the transport sector—because driver fatigue, long hours, and pressure to meet quotas should never put lives at risk.”

These twin events have triggered a wave of citizen indignation and concern that, hopefully, would lead to meaningful reforms designed to improve safety in transportation facilities and equipment.

Having travelled only last month, my family had contrasting experiences at the NAIA, at the JFK airport in New York City and at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina that we used in flying back to NYC for our return flight to Manila.