LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Governor Nestor Fongwan said medical and financial assistance has been extended to all victims of the fatal Buguias road accident Saturday.

The governor, with Mayor Melchor Diclas was on site during the accident and facilitated the hospitalization as well as rescue of the passengers of the ill-fated vehicle.

Fonwgan said the Provincial Social Welfare Office is set to give P10,000 cash assistance to the families of victims in the crash.

The mishap in Buguias town involved a Ford Fierra jeepeney carrying 20 passengers which fell in an 80 meter ravine instantly killing 13.

The province has likewise aided all victims in funeral needs.

Fongwan however said that the area in which the truck crashed is not an accident prone area. “We are not blaming the road conditions at the area. All of us should take extra precaution,” he said.

Fongwan said the rainy season poses a danger not only to Benguet roads but all road networks in the region.

“All roads pose a danger, precaution is needed,” added Fongwan.

Aside from the Buguias accident, another accident occurred on the same day in Sablan leaving all passengers injured, majority of them minors.

Fongwan said the province is grateful for the assistance extended by the private sector in the tedious search and rescue operations last Saturday citing Atok and Abatan emergency services as well as Mankayan town.

Ambulance services were extended by the three towns during the weekend accidents in the flurry to bring the victims to the Lutheran and the Benguet General Hospital.

In the middle of the mishap, commercial vans plying the area pitched in, bringing victims to the nearby hospitals in the hope there will be more survivors.