Elderly man dies after being hit by vehicle while lining up at Kadiwa center

A 74-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle while lining up at a Kadiwa center to buy rice in Quezon City.

In an interview on super radyo dzBB, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said the incident occurred at around 3 a.m., when the victim was already in line for the government’s subsidized food program.

She expressed grief over the incident, saying it was the kind of situation the agency had hoped to prevent.

“Yun nga po, nakakalungkot pong balita. Ito nga po yung sinasabi namin na gusto sana naming iwasan.”

(This is very sad news. This is what we have been trying to avoid.)

She noted that recently, people have been lining up as early as midnight outside Kadiwa sites, even though selling operations typically begin at 6 a.m.

In a separate statement, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the incident happened along Visayas Avenue in front of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City.

Based on the initial investigation, the QCPD said that at 4:00 a.m., a 46-year-old male was driving a pick-up and struck the victim, who was reportedly waiting in line to purchase subsidized rice.

The vehicle continued moving forward and hit roadside signage.

“As a result of the incident, the victim sustained severe injuries and was immediately brought to East Avenue Medical Center for medical treatment,” the QCPD said.

“However, he was pronounced dead at 5:02 AM on the same date by the attending physician,” it added.

Guevarra said the agency has been providing seating for those in line and allows them to enter once operations begin but acknowledged that further improvements are needed, particularly in ensuring safety.

“Kailangan siguro mas paigtingin pa natin ang security,” said Guevarra.

(We may need to further strengthen security.)

She also urged the public to avoid arriving at Kadiwa sites too early to prevent similar incidents.

“'Wag na po sana tayong pumunta doon ng ganong mga klaseng oras, baka may mangyari pong ganoon,” she said.

(We hope people will avoid going there at such early hours because something like that might happen.)

The DA official assured the public that there is sufficient supply of goods in Kadiwa centers, emphasizing that even those who arrive later still have a chance to purchase.

“Marami po stocks na bigas, kahit walk-in po nakakabili naman po lahat ng pumipila doon. Iwasan na lang po na sobrang aga pumipila," she added.

(There is enough rice supply. Even walk-ins are still able to buy. We just ask people not to line up too early.)

Further, the DA is studying ways to ensure the safety of consumers waiting in line to buy rice. This is in addition to the implementation of an online appointment system designed to prevent long queues, especially during the early morning hours.

“Aside pa po doon sa pagpapalakas pa natin ng police visibility and of course, yung sa security natin, balak po namin maglagay po ng designated area doon sa BAI, para po kahit madaling araw ay mapapasok po natin at kumabaga hindi sila nandoon sa may sidewalk. Kung tutuusin dapat nga po walang tao doon,” said Guevarra in Bernadette Reyes’ report in “24 Oras.”

(Aside from boosting police visibility and, of course, our security, we plan to set up a designated area inside the BAI, so they can enter even in the early morning hours. This will keep them off the sidewalks, where, technically, no one should be staying.) —Sherylin Untalan with reports from Joviland Rita and Vince Angelo Ferreras/VAL/RF, GMA News