San Jose de Buenavista, Antique – A tragic road accident involving a Ceres bus of the Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) in Antique resulted in the death of 17 out of 28 passengers. The bus plunged off a cliff along the national highway in Barangay Igbucagay, municipality of Hamtic, on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, referencing a report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) during a press conference on Wednesday, confirmed that the deaths occurred either on the spot or while the victims were receiving treatment at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) in San Jose de Buenavista. Among the deceased were the bus driver, conductor, inspector, and Kenyan missionary Patrick Musomi.
Four passengers are currently recovering from minor injuries at the ASMGH. Seven others are receiving treatment for serious injuries in hospitals in Iloilo City, including another Kenyan missionary, Nicolas Essissi. Governor Cadiao has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to condemn the road section where the accident occurred, labeling it a ‘killer road’ due to past vehicular accidents.
The Western Visayas Regional Development Council, during Cadiao’s term as chair in 2019, had passed a resolution for constructing a new route to prevent further accidents in the area. She also noted that ongoing road improvements by the DPWH might have contributed to the accident, citing a lack of signboards in the area.
The governor has directed the Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to process burial assistance for the victims. PDRRM Officer Broderick Train acknowledged the challenges in retrieving bodies from the cliff, approximately 60-70 meters deep, with the last cadaver being retrieved on Wednesday morning.
Antique Provincial Police Office Director Rogelio Abran, Jr. mentioned that efforts are underway to retrieve the bus’s security data (SD) card for investigation. He also plans to confirm with the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) Regional Office 6 about the temporary suspension of VTI buses on the Iloilo to Antique route.
VTI, in a statement, expressed its willingness to cooperate with investigations led by the LTFRB and has voluntarily suspended operations of the 12 remaining units under the franchise involved in the incident. The company also pledged to provide financial assistance, medical, and burial expenses to passengers and their families. VTI assured the public of its commitment to maintaining road-worthy and well-maintained buses.
