13 dead, 26 hurt in Kalinga crash
At least 13 died including eight senior citizens after their vehicle lost control and fell into an 80 meter ravine in Balabalan, Kalinga at 2:30 p.m. on September 11.
Based on police reports, the senior citizens were on their way back to Barangay Dao-angan from the town proper after collecting their social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development when the vehicle’s engine suddenly shut off causing the driver to lost control of the vehicle until it fell into the ravine.
The thirteen casual-
ties were identified as Victorino Banglagan, Soledad Dammay, Eliza Amoga, Rosario Badong, Isabel Bagni, Agida Palangdao, Lolita Latawan, William Gamongan, Leota Maday, Angelina Benito, Benjamin Badong, Terresa Dulansi and Annie Baluga. while the remaining two others have yet to be identified.
Injured were identified as Arnel Banglagan, Laika Barbosa, Manuel Banguingan, Jennifer Esteban, Pedro Maday, Lolita Gullitis, Anna Bagwingan, Imelda Cuzon, Caridad Palicas, Irene Dammay, Agida Palangdao, Mercedez Kingbao, Joselyn Gannisi, Soccoro Naganag, Necita Daggay, Bartolome Balcanao, Patricio Maday, Mariano Palicas, Leonarda Dumaguing, Conchita Canao, Sonia Barbosa, Condordia Manadao, Francisco Gumaad Jr, Edmund Duguit, Nanette Gamongan and Martin Canao.
Mary Anne Buclao, Disaster Management Chief of DSWD-CAR meanwhile assured the distribution of financial assistance to the senior citizens who died including those who were injured in the accident during the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting at the Office of the Civil Defense conducting its coordination meeting in preparation for Typhoon Ompong.
“At present, an ongoing assessment of the situation is being done by our social welfare officers to ensure the appropriate financial assistance will be given to our senior citizens and to the injured passengers of the illfated vehicle. A minimum of P5,000 to a maximum of P15,000 financial assistance based on the assessment of our responding social workers will be given to the families of the dead and injured aside from burial assistance, hospitalization expenses, and the caskets to used,“Buclao explained.