A jeepney overloaded with about 50 passengers that came from Poblacion, Balbalan heading to barangay Dao-angan of the same town plunged into a ravine while going downhill on Sept. 11, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.. The engine suddenly stopped causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The injured were brought to Kalinga Western District Hospital for immediate medication while the recovered dead bodies were brought to the Balbalan RHU for funeral services. Thirteen of the 14 fatalities were senior citizens who went to the Poblacion to receive their quarterly social pension of P1,500.00 each from the DSWD Initial reports said nine of the victims died on the spot, three were pronounced dead upon reaching the hospital while two others died while undergoing treatment. One of the passengers who died while being attended to at the hospital was Martin Canao.
In an interview by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) with the governor of Kalinga, that latter said that they have started extending assistance to the victims’ families as early as Tuesday evening. Food and rice needed in the first night of the wake were distributed to the families by the provincial government. Caskets were also given for those who died in the road crash. He added that there is an ongoing assessment of the conditions of the injured victims to determine and assess their needs and that financial assistance will be given as soon as the assessment is completed.
In a phone interview Wednesday by the PNA with DSWD-Cordillera Director Janet Armas, she said they are in touch with the provincial office to assess and identify the nearest kin of those who died and the injured so that the government’s financial assistance can be properly handed.
In a separate interview, Senior Supt. Alfredo Dangani, Kalinga Police Provincial Director, said they are still waiting for Francisco Gumaad Jr., the driver of the jeepney, to recover and get his side of the story. They also hope to interview the injured.
Those who died were Victorino Banglagan, Soledad Dammay, Eliza Amoga, Rosario Badong, Isabel Bagni, Agida Palangdao, Lolita Latawan, William Gamongan, Leota Maday, Angelina Benito, Benjamin Badong, Teresa Dulansi, Annie Baluga, and Martin Canao.
The identified injured were Arnel Banglagan, Laika Barbosa, Manuel Banguingan, Jennifer Esteban, Pedro Maday, Lolita Gullitis, Joselyn Gannisi, Socorro Naganag, Necita Daggay, Bartolome Balcanao, Patricio Magay, Mariano Palicas, Leonarda Dumaguing, Anna Bagwingan, Imelda Cuzon, Caridad Palicas, Irene Dammay, Mercedez Kingbao, Conchita Canao, Sonia Barbosa, Concordia Manadao, Fransisco Gumaad Jr., Edmund Duguit, and Nanette Gamongan.** PNA
