2 Elderly Women Die in Manila Road Crashes Involving Public Transport

Two elderly women have died in separate road crashes in Manila involving public utility vehicles over the weekend. A 65-year-old woman died after a passenger jeepney hit a lamp post in Sta. Cruz, according to the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU). MDTEU chief investigator Maj. Joel Aquino said eight more passengers suffered injuries. The jeepney driver was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was placed under alarm status pending investigation. On Friday, a 70-year-old woman died when a bus crashed into several vehicles along España Boulevard in Manila. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) summoned the bus driver and operator, Viofel Transport Inc., to explain why its franchise should not be suspended or revoked. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of public transportation in the Philippines and its impact on vulnerable road users, particularly the elderly. Manila continues to grapple with frequent accidents involving public vehicles amidst severe traffic congestion.