Road safety signs missing in Antique accident site

THE firm whose bus figured in a deadly road accident in Antique on December 5 yesterday said construction safety signs were missing in the area before the bus plunged into a ravine.

Dindo Danao, spokesperson of Transit Inc. (VTI) that owns the Ceres bus, said this is based of reports the company has received.

He said construction work was ongoing in the accident area which Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has called a “killer curve.”

Seventeen of the 28 passengers, including the driver and conductor, have died after the bus reached a curvy part of the road in Barangay Igbucagay, then plunged into a deep ravine in Hamtic town.

Danao said the area is known to be accident-prone.

Earlier, Cadiao said her office has asked the help of the national government in ensuring safety in the area due to previous road crashes.

In the wake of the accident, the company said it has voluntarily suspended operations of the 12 remaining bus units under its franchise.

The company said it is also cooperating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in the investigation on the accident.

“The management is now processing the necessary documents in compliance with LTFRB’s requirements for the said suspension,” VTI said.

“With the suspension of the 12 units, VTI management is assuring the public in the province of Antique that sufficient number of units are available to transport them safely and comfortably to their respective destinations,” it added.

The company said it will also provide financial assistance to the passengers and their families, as well as for the medical and burial expenses.