• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) has temporarily suspended the operations of its 12 passenger buses in Antique, following a road crash on December 5 that claimed the lives of 17 passengers, pending an investigation of the incident.
In a statement, the VTI also assured financial assistance to the injured victims and families of slain passengers.
Ceres Liner bus number 6289, operated by VTI, was on its way to Culasi, Antique, from Iloilo, when it overshot the road and plunged into a 30-meter ravine at Km 174 in Brgy. Igbucay, Hamtic, Antique, resulting in deaths and injuries to its 28 passengers.
Among the bus passengers, 17 died, seven others being treated in Iloilo are in critical condition, while the remaining four are now in stable condition, according to a report of the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao disclosed that the majority of the Ceres Liner bus passengers are residents of Antique.
Cadiao described the accident prone area at Km 174 in Brgy. Igbucay, Hamtic, Antique, as having a “killer curve” due to occurrence of numerous road crashes in the area.
Among the casualties were the bus driver, fare collector and the line inspector, VTI media relations officer Jade Marquez said.
Marquez added that VTI has already reported the incident to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, and assured cooperation in the probe.
The VTI management assured the riding public that they are taking all the appropriate steps to ensure that their passenger buses are road worthy and well maintained.*