A motorcycle loaded with a sack of corn slipped off a narrow track on the mountainside in Barangay Paraiso, Alabel, Sarangani.

The accident was captured on video and went viral online.

The 21-year-old rider and his 17-year-old companion, both members of the B’laan tribe, managed to jump off before the motorcycle tumbled down the mountain.

They sustained only minor injuries, but the motorcycle that plunged into the ravine about 50 meters deep, was damaged severely.

The rider said they use the track to transport farm products. However, at the time of the incident, he lost balance when the motorcycle engine reportedly died suddenly.

“Na out of balance. Lisud kaayo, gamay ang dalan,” rider and farmer, Cemo Wagi Salayan, said.

According to the resident who uploaded the video, they did not expect the accident to happen nor did they expect the video to go viral.

“Ana ang viewers uban, kanang, content daw. Dili gyud to content ba, wala gyud damha nga na-viral diay to,” uploader and farmer, Sheryl Talino, said.

Residents said the track was opened to allow motorcycles to carry corn and other produce of the B’laan tribe in the area. In the past, these goods were loaded onto horses.

The local government has put plans in place.

“Ang kalsada pa kulang sa mga suok-suok nga mga-uma… naa nay proposal karon ang congressional office… hulaton lang namo karon padayon pa ang equipo diri sa barangay. Gane, karon naay mi plano opening road Paraiso to Brgy. Bagacay,” Barangay Paraiso Chairman, Julito Lacay, said.

Meanwhile, farmers also raised concerns about the low buying price of their products like corn, which is currently at P17 per kilo and may possibly drop further depending on market conditions.

Farmers said it’s not enough, especially considering the life-risking effort it takes to bring these goods to market.

“Ang among ginahangyo sa mga mga agriculture unta i-priority ang mga produkto sa mga mag-uuma kay dili gyud sayon ang trabaho sa mga mag-uuma. Barato kaayo ang presyo. Buhis buhay gyud. Pareha karon kanang muingun sila dapat hakutan, dili gyud mahakot sa tao kay luoy kaayo ang tao,” Talino added.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for a statement, as of this writing.