ILOILO City – Families of 22 victims of the Ceres bus accident in Hamtic, Antique were provided P220,000 in total assistance, or P10,000 each, as of Monday, Dec. 11.
The assistance provision is under the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Of the 22 families, seven claimed their financial aid at the Malasakit Center in Western Visayas Medical Center in this city while 15 others claimed theirs in San Jose, Antique.
The tragic accident on Dec. 5 in Barangay Igbucagay resulted in the death of 19 individuals including the driver, conductor and two inspectors.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 12, five remained in critical condition while four were already out of danger, according to the Hamtic Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The DSWD Region 6 continues to coordinate with the families who have not claimed their financial assistance for immediate release.
Meanwhile, Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao appealed to Police Colonel Rogelio Abran Jr., director of Antique Police Provincial Office, to secure the dash cam and memory card from Vallacar Transport Inc. (VTI), operator of Ceres buses.
The governor said the retrieval of what she called crucial evidence is deemed essential for a comprehensive investigation into the accident.
“We need a thorough investigation once the memory card is handed over to us. I appeal to Police Col. Abran to facilitate the return of the equipment and seek assistance from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to delve into the specifics of what transpired with the Ceres bus. We must scrutinize every angle to understand the reasons behind this tragedy,” Cadiao said.
Jade Seballos, VTI media relations officer, confirmed they got hold of the dash cam but it is no longer functional.
The governor said the company is withholding the damaged equipment, including the allegedly compromised memory card containing vital information about the accident.
“Let’s examine every aspect; what occurred on Dec. 5, whether it was a mechanical issue or related to road design. We need a comprehensive understanding,” Cadiao added. (With a report from the Antique Provincial Government)/PN
