Antique gov to DPWH: Abandon ‘killer curve’

more accidents from happening,” she said.

Philippine flags in Antique were flown at half staff to pay respects to those who died in the road accident in Hamtic.

Among the fatalities were seamen, students, teachers working in mountain schools and pastors, Cadiao said.

Assistance

The Antique provincial government said it would take care of all the hospital expenses of the crash victims and would release an initial P20,000 financial assistance to each of the fatalities’ families.It would also provide funeral assistance to the families of those who died in the accident.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has committed to give another P10,000 to each of the families of the deceased.

Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), the bus owner, said it was also providing assistance to the families of the 18 fatalities and 11 injured passengers.

The injured passengers are confined at Iloilo Western Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital and Angel Salazar Medical Hospital in San Jose, Antique. They are now in stable condition, VTI said in a statement.

VTI has put up help desks at the lobbies of the three hospitals and at the Hamtic police station for queries and assistance. Ceres bus employees have been tasked to assist in the processing of medical assistance and financial support for the families of the victims, VTI said.

“Ceres employees are reaching out to the families of the deceased who have not yet availed of the said assistance,” it added.

The VTI management is also mourning the loss of its four employees: bus driver Ricky Serios, conductor Wilmar Marcelino and line inspectors Jevy Bordago and Jose Glenn Fandagani.

Fandagani reportedly saved the life of a teacher while Bordago protected a pregnant passenger.“They (Fandagani and Bordago) chose to save the lives of the passengers even at the expense of their own,” VTI said.

The company accepted the 30-day suspension imposed by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board on its 12 units included in the franchise of the bus involved in the accident.

“With the suspension of the 12 units, VTI management is assuring the riding public in the Province of Antique that sufficient numbers of units are available to transport them safely and comfortably to their respective destinations,” VTI said.

It appealed to the public to avoid posting, sharing, and/or entertaining what it described as “fake” videos and pictures of the accident.

“These fake videos and pictures are adding an emotional toll to the families who are grieving the … loss of their loved ones,” it said. INQ