BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Albee Benitez has ordered an investigation of the road accident involving a city government bus in which a teacher was killed in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental on Friday, June 14.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/14/teacher-killed-35-hurt-in-bus-accident-in-negros-occidental
“We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future,” Benitez said in a statement through his spokesperson, lawyer Caesar Distrito.
According to Police Capt. Ignacio Javier, deputy chief of the Don Salvador Municipal Police Station, the bus turned on its side due to a brake failure while approaching a curve part of the road in Barangay Igmaya-an.
Javier said that 39 passengers, including 32 teachers from Paglaum Village Elementary School here, their five immediate families, the bus driver, and the helper were on board the bus from San Carlos City when the accident happened.
He said that one of the teachers, Arlyn Verde, was declared dead in a hospital due to brain injuries and respiratory arrest, while the helper and another teacher are still recuperating in a hospital here.
The rest of the passengers were discharged from the hospital after they underwent medical examination, Javier added.
Javier said the bus driver is under police custody, pending further investigation.
Benitez was saddened about the incident, which, he said, has profoundly affected the community.
“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce a tragic vehicular accident involving a bus owned by the city in Don Salvador Benedicto, which resulted in the unfortunate death of one teacher,” the mayor said as he condoled with the bereaved family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured and we are committed to providing them with the necessary support and assistance during this difficult time,” Benitez said.
The city has provided hospital assistance under the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BAcCHP) to all the victims, including their medicines, laboratories, and X-rays.
The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) will assess their needs and facilitate the immediate release of their assistance.
We are coordinating with local hospitals to ensure that the injured receive the best medical care available, Benitez said.