Transport groups urge gov’t for just compensation for road traffic victims

Insurance Commission headquarters | PHOTO: Judgefloro via WikiMedia Commons

Seven transport groups are asking the national government, through the Insurance Commission, for a just compensation in cases of deaths and permanent disability for passengers.

The “Magnificent 7”, composed of Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas and UV Express National Alliance of the Philippines, made the request after the Insurance Commission issued a memorandum circular that increases the insurance coverage under the “Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability lnsurance (CMVLI).

ALTODAP President Melencio “Boy” Vargas, said that while they appreciate the initiative of the Insurance Commission, there is a need to have some clarifications on the insurance coverage in cases of multiple casualties in road injuries.

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In the memorandum circular issued by the IC, the insurance coverage for death is P200,000 and P50,000 for permanent disability.

But Vargas said the existing reality on the ground is that the P200,000 insurance coverage for death and P50,000 insurance for permanent disability are equally divided among the victims.

“Kung may 10 namatay or 10 nagkaroon ng permanent disability, ibig sabihin paghahati-hatiaan ito ng lahat ng biktima kaya maliit na halaga pa rin yun para ma-cover ang mga expenses ng pamilya,” said Vargas.

(If there were 10 individuals who died or had permanent disability, the victims need to split equally the [insurance] money among themselves, thus, the amount is too small to cover for the expenses)

“Ang hinihiling po sana namin sa ating pamahalaan ay imbes na paghati-hatian ang insurance na ito, ay gawin na lang na P200,000 each in cases of death, at P50,000 each in case of permanent disability,” he added.

(We are asking the government that instead of equally dividing the insurance (money) among the victims, make it P200,000 each in cases of death and P50,000 each in case of permanent disability)

Vargas said that this mode will not only benefit passengers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) but also private vehicles.

Vargas said the request is shared by other leaders and members of the Magnificent 7, including the request for the LTO and DOTr to bring their request in any meeting with the Insurance Commission.