Duterte gives Dimple Star accident victims cash, cellphones

Malacañang announced on Saturday that President Rodrigo Duterte has given P20,000 to each of the families who lost their loved ones in the deadly bus crash in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental last Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte also gave cellphones and P10,000 cash to each of those injured in the accident.

A total of 19 people lost their lives while 21 were hurt last Tuesday evening when a Dimple Bus Transport bus fell off a cliff.

Quoting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Roque announced that the families of those killed will be receiving P200,000 from the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI) starting Monday, March 26.

Those injured in the accident will also start receiving P20,000 from the agency, the spokesperson added.

In its statement, Malacañang expressed concern over the safety of the commuting public during the anticipated exodus of travelers this Lenten season.

"The President has directed transport officials to ensure the safety of Filipinos traveling to the provinces during his visit to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, where he personally expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and checked the injured of the bus crash," Roque said.

Duterte had gone to Sablayan on Friday to personally pay a visit to grieving families of the fatalities and the injured victims.

He has ordered a nationwide crackdown on colorum public utility vehicles after the fatal crash.

Unsatisfied with the 30-day suspension slapped by the LTFRB on the bus company's entire fleet, the President had said he wanted its owner arrested.

The owner, Hilbert Napat, presented himself before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame on Friday night. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News