By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has 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 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 PHP400,000 in death benefits and PHP100,000 for injuries.
Under current regulations, private vehicle passengers are collectively entitled to only PHP200,000, regardless of the number of casualties, a gap that drew public scrutiny after major road accidents in recent months.
“Unang-una, alam naman natin kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo na ang priority natin ‘yung safety ng ating mga pasahero… so ang insurance napaka-importante niyan (First of all, the President has made it clear that passenger safety is our priority… so insurance is very important),” Dizon told reporters.
“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 President has called for significantly increasing insurance… to match that of PUVs for private vehicles. I think it’s a great idea, and we will push to make that happen).”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now coordinating with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to begin implementing the directive.
When asked how soon the policy might be rolled out, 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 killed four and injured more than 20 individuals. Victims’ families received only PHP200,000 total in insurance payouts, split among all affected.
A similar shortfall was reported in the SCTEX pile-up that killed 10 people. (PNA)
