17 dead as bus falls off cliff in Antique

MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen people died when a bus fell off a cliff Tuesday in Antique, prompting owner Vallacar Transit Inc. to suspend operations of 12 passenger buses.

In a statement, the Bacolod-based VTI also assured financial assistance to injured victims and families of slain passengers.

Ceres Liner bus No. 6289 was on its way to San Jose, Antique from Iloilo when it overshot and plunged into a 30-meter ravine at km 174 in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic, Antique.

The accident left 17 people dead while eight are in critical condition and four others are stable, according to the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office.

Gov. Rhodora Cadiao disclosed that the majority of the Ceres Liner passenger bus are Antique residents.

Cadiao described Igbucagay, which VTI earlier said is an accident-prone area, as a “killer curve.”

She gave assurance that the victims’ hospital expenses would be taken care of by the provincial government and pledged an initial P20,000 to the families of passengers who passed away.

Cadiao noted that VTI’s decision to suspend operations of 12 passenger buses is nothing short of a knee-jerk reaction and recommended VTI should send brand new buses and take the coastal road instead of traversing the mountain roads.

VTI media relations officer Jade Marquez said that VTI has already reported the incident to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The management assured the riding public that all appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that the company’s passenger buses are road-worthy and well-maintained.

At a press conference yesterday, Antique police chief Col. Rogelio Abran said they could not determine yet the cause of the accident.?

Bus driver Ricky Serios, 39, died along with bus conductor Wilmar Marcelino, inspector on duty Jaybe Burdago, the fare collector and line inspector.

Line inspector Jose Glenn Fandagani, 36, is being hailed as a hero for reportedly shielding Mica Marie Servano, 28, from the impact as the bus plunged into the ravine.

Servano, a teacher from Barangay Fatima, Tobias Fornier, Antique, recalled that Fandagani embraced her as the bus tumbled down the cliff.

Meanwhi