THE Bacolod City Government will shoulder the hospital bills of all the victims in the road accident during a Good Friday procession on April 18, in Purok 20, Granada-Alangilan Road, Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he already directed to support all the hospital bills of the victims.
"We will extend as far as we can. It's an unfortunate tragic event so we will help all the victims," he said.
He said the City already provided immediate medical and burial assistance through the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program, and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
The mayor noted that he will wait for the recommendation of the DSSD if they need to provide additional cash assistance to the victims.
On April 18, a vehicle driven by Jagpret Singh, 37, an Indian national and a resident of Buena Park Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, rammed Catholic devotees during a Good Friday procession in Purok 20, Granada-Alangilan Road, Barangay Alangilan.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Dionelo Solano, a lay minister; Gilven Tanique, a barangay tanod, both parishioners of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine in Barangay Alangilan; and Daynah Plohinog, a college student and resident of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
Seventeen others, including two police officers and the companion of the Indian national, were injured.
Benitez said he will wait for the final report of Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director.
City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea also said the City will conduct post-traumatic psychosocial therapy activity in Barangay Alangilan on Tuesday, April 22, with the City Health Office, DRRMO, and DSSD.
Coronica said they are still waiting for the medical certificates from various hospitals for the filling of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties against Singh.
He said the medical certificate is a requirement in the filling of case at the City Prosecutor's Office, adding that they will file the case within the prescribed period or within the reglementary period, which is 36 hours, to ensure that the suspect will not be released.
Coronica noted that of 17 other victims, 12 of them are still confined in various hospitals and on stable condition.
Investigation showed that Singh and four companions were traveling from Barangay Alangilan toward Barangay Granada. Upon reaching Purok 20, they crashed into a tricycle driven by Solano with his passengers Tanique, Plohinog, and four other devotees.
Coronica said the tricycle overtook the procession because Plohinog passed out, but they were hit by the speeding Toyota Innova.
Due to the strong impact, he said the tricycle, which was divided into half, hit the patrol car of Police Station 5 that convoyed the procession, adding that one part of the tricycle also hit a multi-cab, the Saint Peter image and the devotees.
Coronica said Solano died on the spot, while Tanique was declared dead on arrival in a hospital. Plohinog expired on Saturday morning, April 19 (MAP)