ANTIQUE – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 is considering the construction of a road tunnel in the mountainous Barangay Igbucagay of Hamtic town, to replace the notorious “killer curve”, a section of a mountainside highway where numerous vehicular accidents resulting in deaths and injuries have taken place.
The most recent accident involved a Ceres bus. It fell off the curve and plunged into a deep ravine on Dec. 5, resulting in 19 fatalities, including the driver. Nine other passengers were injured.
DPWH-6 acting director Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel said a tunnel through the mountain in Barangay Igbucagay is being considered to bypass hazardous, sharp curves along the Antique-Iloilo highway traversing the village, but a feasibility study must first be conducted and this needs funding.
This study would determine whether an open-cut or an underground tunnel is better suited for the area.
An open-cut tunnel, also known as a cut-and-cover tunnel, is constructed by excavating a large trench from the surface down to the desired level of the tunnel. Once the excavation reaches the required depth, the tunnel structure is built in the trench. The construction is then covered over with backfill material, and the surface is restored, often with landscaping, roadways, or other surface features.
On the other hand, underground tunnels are constructed using techniques that allow for tunneling deep beneath the surface without disturbing the ground above. This is achieved through methods like boring, using a tunnel boring machine, or other drilling techniques.
If approved, the Hamtic road tunnel would be the first in Region 6.
However, Oropel emphasized that DPWH has implemented safety measures at the “killer curve” since a bus accident in 2020, including road widening, concrete barriers, sidewalks, and solar street lights.
Following a meeting with DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan on Dec. 11, Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao proposed a straight road to bypass the curve. Bonoan was receptive to the idea and tasked Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo to inspect the area.
Concerned about the series of accidents at the “killer curve”, Cadiao previously raised the issue with the DPWH in 2019 through a Regional Development Council resolution.
Meanwhile, Antique Bishop Marvyn Abrea Maceda will hold a mass at the curve on Dec. 19 to bless the site and pray for the victims.
Data from the provincial government, gathered from long-time resident Arturo Sarad, 70, and Barangay Kagawad Edwardo Sicorsicor of Barangay Igbucagay, and from the Hamtic police station listed the following notable vehicular accidents at the “killer curve”:
* JL truck (1959) – loaded with goods and foodstuff; two or three persons died
* Family Express (May 25, 1986) – 23 died and 15 injured; according to Sarad and Sicorsicor, the bus, loaded with liquefied petroleum gas tanks, exploded and many of the casualties got burned
* LA Bus (1987 or 1988) – undetermined number of casualties
* G’Diths closed van (2016) – one helper died
* truck loaded with Pepsi Cola products (Aug. 11, 2017) – one helper died, driver injured
* Magnolia delivery van (2017) – no deaths
* closed van loaded with feeds (2018) – no deaths
* 10-wheeler truck loaded with cement (2019) – one helper died
* closed van loaded with construction materials (2019) – no deaths; the vehicle did not fall into the ravine but flipped over in the middle of the highway
* Ceres bus (April 5, 2019) – three died, six injured
* car (2020) – no deaths; the car crashed into the barrier
* Ceres bus (Dec. 5, 2023) – 19 deaths, nine injured
According to Sarad and Sicorsicor, there have been at least six motorcycle crashes against the barrier of the ‘killer curve’ in the past 10 years./PN
