Vallacar Transit, Inc. (VTI), the operator of the bus that fell in a ravine on Tuesday afternoon and killed over a dozen people, said that it is willing to cooperate with the government's investigation.

The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, December 5, when a Ceres Bus Liner with a bus no. 6289 fell from a cliff at KM 174, Igbucay, Hamtic, Antique, resulting in the deaths and injuries of its passengers, including the bus driver and conductor.

"VTI has reported the incident to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board immediately and is willing to cooperate with any investigations they will be conducting," the bus operator said in a statement released on Wednesday.

In coordination with LTFRB Region 6, the VTI said it decided to voluntarily suspend all operations of the 12 remaining units under the franchise involving Case No. 11-VI-021-AK pending investigation.

"VTI’s Branch, Admin, and Maintenance Managers, Operations Personnel, Liaison Officers, and nurses from both the West and East branches were immediately dispatched to the location of the incident to assist the victims," VTI remarked.

Moreover, VTI will provide financial assistance to the passengers and their families, as well as shoulder the medical and burial expenses.

The management also assigned personnel to be on standby at the hospital for further updates and assistance.

According to the bus operator, the place where the accident took place was an accident-prone area.

"The bus, which was carrying 24 passengers, was on its way to Culasi from Iloilo when it accidentally fell off a ravine, resulting in serious injuries and casualties among the occupants of the bus.
The area is known to be accident-prone, with numerous vehicles falling off therein," it said.

Meanwhile, VTI extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.

"Vallacar Transit, Inc. would like to express our most heartfelt apologies to those who were involved in the incident. We would also like to send our sincerest condolences to the bereaved families."

In this regard, VTI assured the public that they would be handling the case "carefully and "properly."

The latest report from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) says that the number of deaths rose to 17.