• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The management of Vallacar Transit Inc. lauded its four employees for saving the lives of two passengers of the Ceres Liner bus, including a teacher and a pregnant woman, at the expense of their own.
The bus crash on December 5 in Hamtic, Antique, claimed the lives of 15 of its passengers and four VTI employees, identified as bus driver Ricky Serios, fare collector Wilmar Marcelino, line inspectors Jevy Bordago and Jose Glenn Fandagani.
In a statement, VTI said while it mourned the loss of its four employees, it is proud and consoled with the thought that their actions were worthy of emulation, saving the lives of a teacher and a pregnant passenger.
They have chosen to save the lives of the passengers even at the expense of their own, it stressed.
The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board has issued a preventive suspension order on the franchise of 12 VTI passenger buses, which was welcomed by its management.
VTI management however assured the riding public in Antique that it has a sufficient number of units available to transport them safely and comfortably to their respective destinations.
Jade Marquez, VTI media relations officer, disclosed on Thursday that the 10 other bus passengers, as well as a pedestrian who was also injured in the incident, are now in stable condition.
The injured passengers and a pedestrian are presently being treated at the Iloilo Western Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, and Angel Salazar Medical Hospital in San Jose, Antique.
VTI also established “Ceres Help Desks” in the four hospitals and in Hamtik Police Station, Antique, where its employees have been deployed to assist in the release of medical needs and extension of financial support to the families of the victims.
The management of Bacolod based bus company is also appealing for the humane consideration of the public to refrain from posting, sharing, or entertaining fake videos and pictures of the incident.
These fake videos and pictures are adding an emotional toll to the families who are grieving the great loss of their loved ones, the statement added.*
