VTI releases aid to victims of bus crash in Antique

ILOILO CITY – Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) has released financial aid to families of victims in the December 5 Ceres bus accident that killed 18 and injured 11 individuals in Hamtic, Antique.

“The company released initial monetary assistance to the victims of the accident that transpired in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic’s deadly curve,” the Antique provincial government announced on Friday, December 8.

A CERES bus plunged off a ravine in Hamtic, Antique on Tuesday, December 5. Eighteen people were killed. (Iloilo City Emergency Responders)

VTI released P50,000 cash aid to families of the 14 fatalities mainly from Antique. Four fatalities were from Iloilo.

“Representatives of VTI said they are in contact with the families to discuss funeral costs and other expenses,” the Antique provincial government added.

A family of four from Mindanao and a Kenyan missionary stationed in Iloilo were also killed in the accident.

“The company’s representatives also said they are working on logistics to transport the bodies of the vacationing family from Koronadal City, South Cotabato and the foreign missionary,” the Antique provincial government added.

The VTI said that it has released financial aid not only to families of casualties but also to the survivors.

“The 11 admitted patients are now in stable condition,” said Ceres Media Relations Officer Jade Ceballos.

They were admitted to the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique as well as the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) and Iloilo Mission Hospital here.

VTI has set up a help desk at the ASMGH and the Hamtic police station. “Ceres employees have been deployed to assist in the release of medical needs and extension of financial support to the families of the victims,” said Ceballos.