Kin of Benguet bus accident victims arrive in Baguio City

The parents of victims in Thursday night's deadly collision between a bus and a truck in Benguet arrived in Baguio City Saturday for a meeting with owners of the bus, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

 

In its 8 p.m. update, the NDRRMC said officials of Marinduque State College, where the victims were studying, were also in Baguio City for the meeting.

 

"A meeting is set to take place between the parents of the victims, the representatives of MSC, the city administrator of Baguio City, representatives from the Baguio General Hospital, and the bus owner," the NDRRMC said.

 

The accident occurred at 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Badiwan Area in Tuba, Benguet, when the tour bus (AFB-769) with 41 passengers collided with a cargo truck (WBJ-581).

 

Initial investigation showed the bus went out of control and hit the cargo truck. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board also said the bus had no franchise.

 

Seven people were killed while 34 were brought to the Baguio General Hospital.

 

The NDRRMC said the Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council arranged the meeting and had suggested shouldering hospital and memorial expenses of the victims.

 

On the other hand, the Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will shoulder food and accommodation of the parents and MSC officials. The Benguet State University will provide accommodations for the parents and MSC officials.

 

For its part, the Philippine Military Academy volunteered the use of its M-35 trucks to transport the victims' bodies to Metro Manila.  — ELR, GMA News