By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed transportation officials to increase private vehicle insurance benefits and align them with those of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to increase passenger protection and address concerns over inadequate compensation for victims of fatal road crashes.
In a media interview in Malacañang on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the President wants insurance policies for private vehicles elevated to the same level as the Passenger Personal Accident Insurance (PPAI) currently mandated for PUVs, which provides up to P400,000 in death benefits and P100,000 for injuries.
Under current regulations, private vehicle passengers are collectively entitled to only P200,000—regardless of the number of casualties—a gap that drew public scrutiny after major road accidents in recent months.
Dizon told reporters recognizes the importance of insurance saying, “Unang-una, alam naman natin kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo na ang priority natin ’yong safety ng ating mga pasahero… so ang insurance napaka-importante niyan. Ang panawagan ng Pangulo: itaas nang todo ang insurance… itapat ang insurance sa pribado doon sa PUV. Tingin ko napakagandang ideya po niyan at ’yan po ang pipilitin nating magawa.”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) coordinated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to implement the directive. Dizon said the government is aiming for implementation before year’s end.
The discrepancy was highlighted by the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines following fatal road accidents, including the December 2024 Katipunan Flyover crash, which claimed four lives and injured more than 20 individuals. Victims’ families received only P200,000 total in insurance payouts, split among all affected.
A similar shortfall was reported in the SCTEX tragedy that claimed 10 people.
