Gov’t urged: Install safety measures: 4 dead, six hurt in MP road accident

By Ferdie Castaneda

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Motorists passing along the Halsema Highway urged concerned government officials to initiate better road safety measures after five persons were killed while 12 others were injured afternoon of Oct. 31 in a vehicular accident here.

A Ford Fierra fell some 70 meters down a cliff while traversing the Dantay, Bontoc – Sagada Road.

The ill-fated jeep reportedly developed mechanical trouble and landed down the Halsema Highway hitting a parked back hoe heavy equipment of RUA construction.

Dr. Diga Gomez. Bontoc municipal officer identified the fatalities as Pastor Victor Batcagan (driver), 43, his wife Beatrice, 37; Jay, the couple’s one-month-old baby, Elizabeth, 59l Victor, all with family name Batcagan.

Masinay Tomy Batcagan was fighting for her life at presstime.

The injured were Jyohan, 17; Adonica, 15; Ruth, 12; Abegail, 11; Joshua , 9; Rhesa, 4;Gimma , 24; Kevin, 1; Arelyn Batcagan Sia-ed, 29; Earl Batcagan Sia-ed, 2’ Felina Ap-apid Octobre, 40 and Fraile Octobre, 11.

The Batcagan family came from Banaue, Ifugao. They were stranded at Bontoc because of a big landslide at Tikitik in the capital town.

After the road was opened 1 p.m., they proceeded to Dantay to attend to a celebration. Later, they proceeded to the house of Alice Macli-ing (driver’s sister) and proceeded to Ambasing, Sagada town, also in the province to stay overnight. The next day, as they were bound to Banaue, Ifugao around 3:45 p.m., the accident happened.

The front part of the vehicle with plate ACS937 was separated from the body upon hitting the back hoe.

All passengers, all residents of Sagada were rushed to Bontoc General Hospital be rescuers.

As of press time, all injured except Donica Batcagan and Felina Octobre were still confined.

The body of Masinay Tomy was brought home to Isabela while Victor, Beatrice, and Jay were buried last week in Sagada.

The funeral of Elizabeth, the principal of Suyo Elementary School, Sagada were due to be buried at press time. – With a report from Gina Dizon