Kalinga town road accident leaves 3 persons dead, 33 hurt

PINIKPUK, Kalinga — Three persons died while 33 others were injured when a passenger jeepney rolled over here Feb. 22.

Michael Bagbago, died at the scene while Jovilyn Canias, 12, and Rolino Sagayo, 20, died a day after while being treated at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in nearby Tuguegarao City, said Senior Insp. Francisco Ben, town police chief.       

The injured passengers were taken to different hospitals for treatment. Fourteen of them were said to be in critical condition.

The passengers came from a religious fellowship meet and were on their way home when the accident occurred at around 4:30 p.m.

Reports said the jeepney was traveling along a road in Sitio Kapanikian, Barangay Junction when its driver, George Caddawan, lost control of the wheel causing the vehicle to roll over.

Caddawan was placed under police custody as charges were readied against him.

In Tabuk city, recent road accidents had made the City Public Order and Safety Office to impose a truck ban at the city’s commercial center.

The imposition was also due to  mounting problem on traffic and road order.

Tabuk City POSO Officer Dionisio P. Falgui III reported the truck ban is imposed  from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at the city’s main thoroughfare leading to the city public market.

The monstrous traffic is reportedly caused by delivery trucks unloading commercial stocks at the area. Aside from the truck ban, POSO has also designated common unloading and parking site for trucks near the area to help ease the problem.

Officials said the ban would make roads safe for pedestrians especially young children who pass along the area to school.

Meanwhile, Falgui reported strict enforcement of the Helmet Law among motorcycle riders in the city.

With the recent completion of road improvement and widening works in Tabuk, cases of road accidents involving motorcycles had tremendously increased.

To assure public safety, the POSO set up checkpoints to check those driving without license, particularly among minors and motorcycle drivers not wearing helmets. – With a report from  Larry Lopez