President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a series of reforms aimed at enhancing transport safety in the Philippines, following recent tragic road accidents that resulted in multiple fatalities.

In response to incidents involving a multiple-vehicle collision at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and another involving an SUV at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Marcos has directed the Department of Transportation to undertake a comprehensive review of driver licensing practices and to conduct a nationwide audit of bus operators to ensure adherence to safety standards.

The President emphasized the need for accountability among those responsible for the accidents and committed to implementing measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The planned reforms include a review of driver licensing to ensure that only competent individuals, whether operating public or private vehicles, are permitted on the roads.

Additionally, the audit of bus operators will involve clear penalties for non-compliance with established safety and maintenance protocols.

The President has also instructed the Department of Labor to address unsafe labor practices within the transport sector that contribute to driver fatigue and pressure on employees, which are recognized as significant factors in road safety.

Marcos expressed condolences to the victims' families and reiterated the government’s obligation to act decisively in the wake of these tragedies.

He stated, 'We owe it to the victims and their families to act—not only with sympathy, but with resolve.'

In a separate development, President Marcos reaffirmed his administration's commitment to establishing Cebu as a central logistics hub through extensive infrastructure projects.

Addressing attendees at a rally in Dumanjug town, he highlighted ongoing initiatives that aim to reduce travel time between Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Cebu Port, pointing out that proposed new bridges and roads could decrease this duration from 45 minutes to 20 minutes.

The New Cebu International Container Port, a 25-hectare facility designed to enhance logistics efficiency in Central Visayas, has been under development following a groundbreaking ceremony on February 7. Marcos praised the local governance in Cebu, led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, highlighting its role in creating an environment conducive to rapid project implementation and economic growth.

Garcia’s leadership has been linked to a substantial reduction in the province's unemployment rate and an increase in gross domestic product, bolstering Cebu's economic position in the region.

The President also noted the success of a subsidized rice distribution program in Cebu, which has been lauded as a model for other provinces, although it has recently been suspended pending clarifications from election authorities.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has been actively monitoring a Chinese research vessel, Tan Suo 3, detected within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The Coast Guard deployed both a ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, and an aircraft to challenge the vessel, which is suspected of conducting unauthorized marine research activities.

The Chinese vessel, located approximately 92 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, has been subjected to radio challenges urging it to cease operations, in line with the Philippines' sovereignty rights over its marine resources.

The presence of the Coast Guard aims to ensure compliance with international and national maritime laws, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding maritime territorial claims in the region.