Marcos orders review to increase insurance coverage for private vehicle passengers

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to study a proposal to amend insurance policies for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and private cars.

The directive comes amid calls to level the playing field between insurance claims available to PUV and private vehicle passengers. Under current Passenger Personal Accident Insurance policy, passengers of private cars are entitled to a maximum of P200,000 in claims, often divided among all victims. In contrast, the PUV insurance system provides up to P400,000 per fatality and P100,000 per injury.

The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines pushed for this change, arguing that existing regulations put private vehicle passengers at a significant disadvantage.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President wants to ensure fair compensation for all road crash victims.

"Pinag-aaralang mabuti kung ito ba ay nararapat at ito po ba ay napapanahon," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, May 14. (This is being studied to determine whether it is appropriate and timely)"

Earlier this month, at least 12 people, including four children, were killed in a multi-vehicle collision at the Tarlac City Toll Plaza on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Days later, an SUV plowed into the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1, killing two more.

In response, Marcos also ordered a review of driver licensing protocols and an audit of bus operators, after the road tragedies. “We will make the changes that need to be made. We will demand accountability where it is due. And we will build a transport system that truly protects Filipino people,” Marcos said.