APAYAO Provincial Governor Eleanor Bulut-Begtang assured financial support to the families of the 19 individuals who died in a vehicular accident in Conner, Apayao on October 31.
Begtang also expressed sympathy and prayed for a speedy recovery of the more than 20 individuals who sustained various injuries during the ill-fated incident and now confined at the Conner District Hospital and the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City.
In a statement, Begtang assured cash assistance to the victims of the accident especially those who were hospitalized in Conner and Cagayan. Burial and transport assistance will also be provided by the provincial government of Apayao to the victims.
Begtang also called on motorists passing through the roads of Apayao and other nearby areas to take all the necessary precautions due to the more challenging roads and terrain particularly in the mountainous areas.
Police said the victims were residents of Barangay Lattut in Conner. They were on their way home from nearby Kalinga Province after receiving cash and seeds assistance from the government when the accident happened.
The fatalities were identified as Beverly, Jason, Brenda and Imelda, all surnamed Talay; Mamerto and Susan, both surnamed Milo; Amparo Aberion, 63; Domingo Asperela, 66; Pacita Dajucon; Mercy Gundan; Leticia Patay, 49; Conrado Subatan, 70; Claro Mamauag, 79; Rose Molina, Ludalina Molina, Fermelina Dacuycuy, Rudy Pagtama, Reymundo Sosa, 79; and Margie Agustin-Pamittan, 66.
The governor also offered sympathy to the family of Aida Batallones, SK Chairman of Barangay Allangigan, Conner, Apayao, the lone Cordilleran who died.
Reports said Batallones, together with four more hitch hick a ride with the group from Tuao, Cagayan. The others were also injured in the incident.
Conner police chief Captain Manuel Canipas Jr. said that based on initial investigation, the Elf truck driven by Merlito Gannaban had a total of 44 passengers and sacks of rice seeds.
Canipas said the vehicle reportedly lost its brake while traversing Sitio Gassud in Barangay Karikitan, Conner, Apayao and plunged into a 20-meter ravine.
He said the accident happened because the truck was overloaded.
Those injured were rushed to the Conner District Hospital and Cagayan Valley Medical Center for treatment. (With reports from Jonathan LLanes and Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)