A 65-year-old woman died after a neem tree fell on her while she was driving her motorcycle on Yumang Street in Barangay San Isidro, General Santos City.

The victim was identified as Marichu Gadiane, a zumba enthusiast.

According to her daughter, Gadiane had just come from a resort and was heading home to get a charger for her speaker when the incident happened.

“Gusto niya maglipay-lipay party sa amuang celebration ba dili siya gusto mabitin bitaw sa amuang outing, ingun siya nak mag-uli sa ko ha sa balay sa Nuñez kay kuhaon sa nako ang charger,” victim’s daughter, Marianne Gadiane, said.

The family learned later that she had been struck by the tree and died on the spot.

A barangay official said the tree reportedly had no permanent or deep roots unlike acacia trees, and the continuous heavy rains may have weakened it, causing it to collapse.

“Wala kasing permanent root yan katulad ng Acacia or yung may malaking ugat… sunud-sunod yung ulan eh, siyempre mabigat yung  kahoy,” Barangay Councilman Pete Perez said.

The victim’s family claimed there may have been lapses, noting that the area has several large trees that could pose danger.

“Makaingon man gud ka nga naay lapses kay, siyempre, kabalo naman ta nga kanang part sa area daghang mga punuan nga pwede naman diay siya putulon, unsa ba, pangitaan paagi kanang mga perwisyo ug makasakit,” the victim’s daughter added.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the local government unit for a statement, as of this writing.

However, Perez reminded the public about existing regulations on tree planting.

“Meron ngayong batas na hindi ka pwedeng magtanim ng punong kahoy na lumalaki  sa ilalim ng distribution lines ng SOCOTECO, at malaki ang multa niyan pag nag violate. Kung meron man i-trim na ninyo or aplayan ninyo sa CENRO,” Perez said.