Bus in deadly La Union crash offers P300,000 aid but families refuse

The bus company involved in the deadly crash in Agoo, La Union last Christmas has pledged to provide P300,000 worth of financial assistance to the families of the jeepney passengers who died in the collision.

During a hearing at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday, lawyer Joanne Mosquera, the legal counsel of Partas bus said the company will extend a P15,000 cash assistance for each of the families of the 20 deceased passengers.

Mosquera said they have been in constant coordination with the families of those killed but the representatives of the families had denied to accept their cash assistance.

"Unfortunately, the company received a letter from the representatives of the family refusing to accept the P15,000 but asking for additional amount of P50,000," she said.

On December 25, 20 jeepney passengers including the driver were killed in a head-on bus-jeep collision while traveling to attend a Christmas Day Mass in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, LTFRB chairman Atty. Martin Delgra lauded the action of Partas as they have no obligation to provide the said assistance since the jeepney driver was the one who drove into the opposite lane to overtake a vehicle.

"We appreciate the fact that the respondent is making that offer, which you've said has no obligation to do so," he said. — MDM, GMA News