NO PASSENGER LEFT BEHIND: DOTr Vows Justice, Safety Reforms After PWD Assault in Bus

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In the chaotic whirl of daily public commutes, where the vulnerable often vanish in the margins of indifference, one incident has shaken the nation’s conscience—and rightly so.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), under the leadership of Secretary Vince Dizon, is now under fire and under pressure after a disturbing incident involving a person with disability (PWD) assaulted aboard a Precious Grace Bus plying the EDSA Busway. As the story unfolds, so does the ugly truth: negligence in our public transport system has consequences—and this time, someone truly defenseless paid the price.

When Public Transport Becomes Public Trauma

On what should have been just another ride home, a defenseless PWD was physically assaulted by fellow passengers. Even more appalling than the attack was the inaction of the very people tasked with ensuring commuter safety—the bus driver and the conductor. They failed to intervene, failed to report, and ultimately failed their duty.

“This is unacceptable,” declared Secretary Vince Dizon. “The first responsibility of government is to protect the most vulnerable. And there is no one more vulnerable than our citizens with disabilities.”

True to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure commuter safety—especially for marginalized groups—the DOTr has now launched a full-scale investigation.

Immediate Accountability, Real Consequences

As a first measure of accountability, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) swiftly suspended the licenses of both the driver, Mark Ivann Ramos, and the conductor, Francis Sauro. Their failure to report the incident to the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), or even to the police, constitutes gross negligence.

In addition, the DOTr is demanding a formal explanation from the bus company, Precious Grace Bus Co., for what is now a black mark on its operations.

A Promise of Help—and of Justice

More than bureaucratic reprimands and license suspensions, Secretary Dizon emphasized that concrete support will be extended to the victim and his family.

“We will provide the necessary help to Mark and his family,” he said. “And we sincerely apologize to them, especially to him, for what happened.”

But the response does not end there.

The DOTr is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify, locate, and prosecute the passengers responsible for the violent assault. “We must ensure they are caught and punished,” Dizon added. “This cannot be tolerated.”

Systemic Flaws: Overloading, Standing Passengers, and the Culture of Complacency

While this particular case has sparked outrage, it is also a symptom of a much larger disease: the deeply embedded culture of overloading, disregard for standing passengers, and lack of commuter dignity in the Philippine transport system.

In too many public utility vehicles (PUVs), passengers are crammed in like livestock. Standing, clinging to railings, packed shoulder-to-shoulder in sweltering heat. It’s an everyday ordeal for the average Filipino—but for PWDs and senior citizens, it's an unlivable nightmare.

It’s time to say what must be said: standing passengers should no longer be allowed. No ifs, no buts. What masquerades as “maximum capacity” is, in truth, maximum cruelty. The government must put an end to overloading—not merely to increase comfort, but to protect lives and preserve dignity.

Stop the Bandaid Fixes—We Need Proactive Governance

While financial assistance or ayuda is always welcome, reactive measures are not enough. We cannot wait for another viral video, another headline, another victim. The government must act now with foresight, with compassion, and with resolve.

We need stricter implementation of transport safety protocols. We need better training for PUV personnel in handling emergency and conflict situations. And above all, we need to rethink the entire commuter experience—not as a daily torture, but as a service that reflects the values of a truly inclusive society.

Let this incident be a wake-up call. One that pushes us out of the shadows of complacency. One that makes us say: Never again.

Let us not wait for another Mark. Let this be the last time a PWD is treated as disposable. Let this be the first of many steps toward a transport system where every Filipino—able-bodied or not—can ride with safety, dignity, and respect.

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