It has been more than a month now since the fatal bus crash in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

As recent events have shown, it only takes a few weeks for media and public attention to die down. 

The tragic crash that killed 15 people should not merely be another news event that fades from the news radar. The 15 lost lives are not merely statistics. 

The lives of 15 families and those of the 32 survivors have been changed, and definitely for the worse. They are not just numbers: they are fathers, mothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and friends. They are leaders, advocates for peace, the environment and human rights. They are people who have deep, genuine, love for our nation. 

Our greatest fear is that the government agencies concerned only act under the duress of media scrutiny. That is not public service. That is called “showmanship.” The government and its public officials are now being tested to prove us otherwise.

We appeal to the public for continued vigilance, to maintain the pressure on the LTFRB. Lax implementation of laws governing public transportation poses a grave threat to the riding public — which constitute the great majority of the population.

Public transport is a public trust. It is the working class’ only means of conveyance. A jeepney and bus should take the Filipino from his home to his place of work and back. It should not take the Filipino to an early grave. 

The gross negligence and utter disregard for the safety of others so commonly exhibited today by the drivers and operators of buses and similar vehicles is appalling. GV Florida Lines must be made fully accountable for this senseless loss of lives. The incident is but one in a seemingly endless string of vehicular tragedies. Delinquent companies must be made to feel the full force of the law – otherwise, they will continue to make a murderous mockery of all notions of justice and civility.

There are no accidents where there is constant vigilance.

If laws continue to be flouted, if calls for permanent reforms remain unheeded, if the LTRFB continues to cast a blind eye on practices that sacrifice safety over profit, if reckless driving amongst undisciplined drivers is constantly tolerated— nothing will put an end to the neglected hit-and-run incidents, and jeeps and buses will continue to fall off ravines and Skyways.

God forbid the next might be carrying your loved one. 

 

- BANTAY LAKBAY

Bantay Lakbay is a movement pushing for justice and reforms in the Philippine Transport System

 

Signed by: 

Family of the Deceased Victims of the GV Florida Bus Crash 

Lea Jimenez (wife) and Taja, Diosa, Indi and Tila Jimenez (daughters) for Tado Jimenez | Rodolfo and Rosalinda Baja (parents); Mariel, Ding, Ma. Asuncion Baja (brother and sisters) for Gerard Baja | Chat Baranda (wife); Mikee Mariel, Bianca Camille and Kevin Don Baranda (children) for Don Baranda | Benjamin Sicam (father), Ella Sicam Fortich (sister) for David Sicam | Lito Vasquez (uncle) for Bam Morillo | Estrella Cabardo (mother) and Chris Mark Cabardo (brother) for Mylo Cabardo | Jos and Ria Van de Ven (parents); Noortje, Loes, and Janneke Van de Ven (sisters) for Anne Van de Ven

Survivors of the GV Florida Bus Crash 

Stella Marie Embile, Charley Sta. Maria, Paeng Gordovez, Dino Dimar, Camille Osorio, Michal Negrito, Danny Dematera, Trina de Leon, Abigail Sicam and Kids, Annemiek Verwegen

Friends and Relatives of Victims of the GV Florida Bus Crash

Maria Cynthia Cesario, Maye Padilla, Carlo Fernandez, Paula Fernandez, Shannon Arnold, Fr. Joemar Sibug, Eric Dimar, Indigo Plume Baja, Burn Belacho, Muffet Sta. Maria, Tebs Gomez, Genie Ranada, Lourd de Veyra, Noel Cabangon, Ronnie Lazaro, Buhawi Meneses, RA Rivera, Jun Sabayton, Ramon Bautista, Angel Rivero, Poklong Anading, Kate Lim, Stephanie Tan, Leni Velasco - Bicol, Gang Badoy – Capati, Marjorie Lachica, Nityalila Saulo, Miko Aguilar, Micheline Rama, Kristine Kintana, Atty. Vin Dancel, Atty. Pochoy Labog,, Moira Lang, Ralph Eya, Irish Flores, Kate Toralba, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Tuesday Vargas, Borj Bayot, Ayeen Karunungan, Rash Caritativo, Tasha Kintanar, Karla Vizcarra, Norwin Gonzales, Darlene Ramos, Atty. Rebo Saguisag, Atty. Ian Sia, Jim Libiran, Ping Medina, Ditsi Carolino, Atty. Aison Garcia, Atty. Tina Balajadia, Atty. Ipat Luna, Sue Prado, Carlos Celdran, Mark Laccay, Joyce Makitalo, Reema Chanco, Jourdan Sebastian, Robert and Pearlsha Quebral, Lena Cobangbang, Vim Nadera, Karen Vizcarra- Virrey, Dondi Virrey, Lindsay Tolarbas, Regina Calzado, Jezer de Vera, Jessica Quiazon, Bernard Castillo, Clifford Tan, Maria Capit, Yason Banal, Earnest Mangulabnan-Zabala, Buddy Zabala, Zach Lucero

Organizations

DAKILA – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism | Rock Ed Philippines – Citizen Safe Group | UP Mountaineers | SuporTADO | Talahib People’s Music | Philippine Women’s Mountaineering Club