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); and Indigo Plume Baja (daughter) 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
Survivors of the GV Florida Bus Crash
Stella Marie Embile
Charley Sta. Maria
Paeng Gordovez
Dino Dimar
Camille Osorio
Michal Negrito
Wesley Llana*
Danny Dematera
Trina de Leon
Abigail Sicam
Agung Sicam
Amian Sicam
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
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