Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao on Wednesday , Dec. 6 confirmed that the death toll in the bus accident in Brgy. Igbucagay in the Municipality of Hamtic is now 17.
In a televised interview, Cadiao said one of the eight individuals who were critically injured and was taken to a hospital in Iloilo City demised.
"Yung walo, dinala namin kagabi sa Iloilo, critically injured dahil sa head trauma. This morning, we were informed that one of them expired, a seaman. Seven now critically injured in Iloilo," she said.
Cadiao first confirmed to DZRH that 16 passengers died after a Ceres bus fell off a cliff on the highway in Brgy. Igbucagay on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 5.
The Antique Governor said four individuals are now stable.
She reiterated that there were prior accidents that occurred on the highway, which they called as "killer curve".
"Wala pa ako sa pulitika, marami na nahuhulog sa lugar na iyan. Maraming delivery trucks, private vehicles ang nahuhulog sa lugar na yan. At meron din Ceres bus na nahulog din diyan, three years ago," Cadiao said.
The Antique Governor said authorities should not resort to a "band-aid solution" such as putting up board signs of "caution", "gentle brake", and "killer road".
"Ngayon, I appeal to DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] to condemn that road and make another route," she added.
Vallacar Transit, Inc. (VTI), the operator of the fallen Ceres bus, vowed to cooperate with the government's investigation into the accident.
"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 to the media.
