Isuzu confirms bus in Nueva Ecija crash is 33 years old

The Leomarick Trans bus involved in the Nueva Ecija crash, which claimed 33 lives, was more than three decades old, the manufacturer confirmed with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday.

"Just got word from Isuzu Philippines, based sa info gathered from Isuzu Japan, the date of manufacture of the engine of the bus involved in the Carranglan accident is 1984," LTFRB Board Member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada told reporters in a text message.

"The bus is more or less 33 years old," Lizada noted.

The LTFRB sent a letter to Isuzu Philippines on April 20, requesting for the year model of the bus.

A Super Radyo DzBB report earlier confirmed the death toll from the bus crash in the Carranglan, Nueva Ecija was revised to 33, not 34.

Citing authorities, Radio dzBB's Alan Gatus noted there was "double counting" of one of the bodies that brought the earlier count to 34.

The report noted the benefits of only three fatalities have not been released to their beneficiaries.

On Saturday, most families of the passengers killed and some of those injured have received a financial assistance of at least P220,000.

The insurer of LeoMaric Trans allotted P200,000 for each of the families of those who died, and P20,000 came from the assistance pledged by President Rodrigo Duterte. — VDS, GMA News