BY IME SORNITO & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ANTIQUE – The provincial government of Antique renewed appeals to the national government, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to help the local government address the hazards caused by the “killer curve” in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic town.
The “killer curve” is a portion of the main road in Barangay Igbucagay with a downward-sloping, sharp curve. On its left side, if going to San Jose de Buenavista, is a ravine that dips to around 60 to 70 feet.
“I want to condemn that road; so many Antiqueños died on that road section. If we have asked the national government to allot a substantial amount of money to detour the road, even if we have blown the whole mountain, why not?” Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said in a press conference on Wednesday morning, Dec. 6.
Although the governor admittedly said rerouting the road would require a huge sum.
“Ang itsura kasi pa-S, may pababa tapos may S dito. So, kon dito ka sa Igbucagay, sarhan na ang portion na ‘yan at pagawa ng bagong road and come out better here, siguro mas maganda. Once and for all, let us spend a lot of money on that certain area that has already claimed the lives of more than 50 Antiqueños already, four passenger buses ang nahulog,” she added.
The governor has already ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Broderick Train to gather all data on the history of accidents in the area as supporting documents in requesting that the national government address the situation.
According to Train, the provincial government put up signage and warning signs, which were not reinstalled after the DPWH built the cement barrier.
“After a while, lipatan naman naton, then another accident will happen again, and then maugot naman kita, and then butangan kang signs, dura naman. So I think once and for all I appeal to the DPWH na sana nandito sila to condemn that road,” Cadiao said.
During her term as the Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson, Cadiao had already raised the road’s concern. In response, the road was widened and cement barriers were placed.
“Nakapasar na ako ng resolution addressed to DPWH na i-rectify ang lugar na ‘yan, but ‘yong solution is that cement barrier, which is not even enough to stop a bus, siguro awto,” the governor added.
Because of the multitude of accidents on the “killer curve,” the wreckage of some buses, trucks, and vans has until now yet to be retrieved.
“Something final na, for the last time, wala na sang mahulog dyan nga maski nga ano pa. So, I am appealing nga kinahanglan tayo gumawa ng paraan together all offices here to request for final solutions to that,” Cadiao stated.
Panay News reached out to DPWH officer-in-charge Engr. Sanny Bor Oropel for comments, but was in a meeting with the RDC-6 and has referred the District Engineer of DPWH-Antique, Engr. Bernadeth “Betsy” Uypero, who has yet to respond as of this writing.
The bus crash on Tuesday left 17 people dead.
Of the number, 16 were identified based on the report of DYRI RMN Iloilo: Wilbur B. De Llava, Jim Andrie J. Secondes, Nelson Espina, Francis John C. Vuelga, Fritzie Javellana, Federica Singh (Indian national), Zairon Alcala, Ramon Salvani, Patrick Musomi, Janine Marquez, Ricky Serios (driver), Jevy Burdago (inspector), Jose Glen Fandagani (inspector), Jomarie Alcala, Wilmar F. Marcelino (conductor), and Tom Elizaga.
Seven, meanwhile, were in critical condition as of this writing. They are Ariane Mejia, Timothy James Quiachon, Dominic Jucaban, Juan Miguel Tejares, Ismael Apiparado, Nicolas Esisi, and Kim Zyren D. Ramos.
Those who are already in stable condition at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital are identified as Mary Beth Santerva, Lorna Obeja, Christopher Simolava, and Mica Marie Servano./PN
