Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7)— Following claims that there were no safety signs in Antique’s “killer curve” road prior to the bus accident that killed 17 people, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said there were “warning signals” in the area.
\”Itong mga dumadaan naman diyan ay very aware of the alignment na they had to negotiate, from the very start, may mga warning signs naman tayo at saka ‘yung mga safety na nilagay doon sa ravine side,\” Bonoan said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Balitaan on Thursday.
[Translation: These drivers passing the area are very aware of the risky alignment they had to negotiate. From the very start, there are warning signs and safety features placed in the ravine side.]
When asked if the DPWH had decided to grant the request of the Antique Governor to build a safer road and condemn the mountainous zigzag road, he said they are open to implementing more safety measures and audits.
READ: Governor asks DPWH to build new route, close Antique’s ‘killer curve’
\”On top of that yes, ‘yung area na ‘yan is mountainous and, however, lahat ng safety features naman po ng mountain roads are actually nandoon po in place,\” Bonoan said. \”Dito po sa mga area na ito, mayroon pong mga warning signs on dangerous curves.\”
[Translation: On top of that yes, the areas are really mountainous, however it has all the safety features that are in place there. These dangerous curves have warning signs.]
He said that aside from warning signs, there are also solar lights and concrete barriers in the area.
On the contrary, Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Broderick Train told CNN Philippines News Night on Wednesday that warning signs were not in place because prior to the incident, some construction work was done and the signs had been removed.
\”Actually may mga warning signs diyan tama nga po may mga speed limits pero may nag process na widening diyan kaya tinanggal yung mga signs na yan and mga information…So wala pong guidelines yung mga driver. So probably isa rin po yan sa mga recommendation natin na i-implement na ka agad,\” he said.
[Translation: Actually there were warning signs at first, that’s right there were speed limits [signs] but during the process of widening there, they removed the signs and information. So drivers have not seen the guides. That is also the recommendation we are implementing as soon as possible.]
Train said Ceres is the only bus company which serves the whole island of Panay including Antique.
He also said the recent accident is the second time that a tragedy occurred in the same area, while also noting that many other types of vehicles have also fallen in the ravine.
\”Mayroon naman mga initiative na ginawa but I think it’s not sufficient para ma-prevent or ma-reduce ‘yung mga aksidente rito,\” Train said.
[There are initiatives implemented but I think this is not sufficient enough to prevent or reduce the accidents.]
The local PDRRMO chief said that according to witnesses, the Ceres bus driver seemed to be running at 60 to 70 kilometers per hour which might be due to break failure.
Bonoan added that the mountainous zigzag road near Barangay Igbucagay had recently been widened from a two-lane road to a four-lane road.
\”Ito pong bus ay patungo po ng Antique, it’s on the mountain side, unfortunately po sa mountain side po siya,\” he said. \”Pero nahulog po siya dun sa ravine side, ‘yun po yung medyo diperensya kaya tinitingnan po namin ‘yung angulo. Bakit napunta po siya dun sa ravome side and he’s in fact on the mountain side po yung ruta niya?\”
[Translation: This bus en route to Antique is on the mountain side. Unfortunately it’s in the mountain side but he fell in the ravine side. That’s the gaps or angles we’re figuring out. Why did the bus fall in the [ravine side of the] mountain side when its route is on the mountain side?]
READ: Death toll from Antique bus crash climbs to 17
