Manila, May 15 -- 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 Malacanang 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...