The families of those who died in the road crash in Antipas, Cotabato that killed 17 people have received cash assistance from the government.

Each family received P10,000 and two boxes of food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-XII through the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) and Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD).

This is on top of the P15,000 given to each family from the municipal government.

"Let's all pray that the souls of our brothers and sisters who passed away will be given peace as well as that the families left behind will be given courage and recovery,” the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-Antipas said.

At least 17 people died when a passenger van caught fire after it was allegedly hit by a 10-wheeler truck loaded with sand in Barangay Luhong on March 25, 2024. The truck was traveling downhill when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and it was as this point when it crashed into the passenger van.

The fatalities were identified as Mark Anthony Bunda, 26; Irish Lopez, 30; Mary Jane Lopez, 52; Genevieve Vicente, 58; Kimberly Shaine Armada, 20; Shirley Pojas, 28; Mary Grace Aaron, 38; Perseveranda Balolong, 73; Ernesto Balolong Sr., 82; Winston Romano Sorsano, 40; Michael Jason Heguinto, 27; Virginia Wayno Rufino; Maricel Castillon, 40; Jerry Camomot, 41; Rachel Turuel, 47; Ryse Vince Suan, 6; and Xian Gellantilay, 5.

Authorities also identified the four survivors as Rosario Reyes, Edwin Nasiad, Wilmark Panoy, and Gregorio Wallace Casiño.

The victims’ families and local officials on Tuesday, March 26, have lighted candles and offered prayers and flowers for those who perished at the area where the incident happened.