Eight employees of the Bayawan City government and a student died when the dump truck they were riding plunged into a ravine in Sitio Mansintak, Brgy. Kalamtukan, Bayawan, Negros Oriental, at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, said.
The employees of the City Agriculture Office–Engineering Division and an on-the-job trainee from the Negros Oriental State University Bayawan–Sta. Catalina Campus had delivered crude oil for tractors in Barangay Mandu‑ao, Bayawan, and were on their way back to the city proper, Polinar said.
Upon reaching a descending area in Sitio Mansintak, Brgy. Kalamtukan, the dump truck loaded with five containers of crude oil and electrical equipment overshot the road, fell into a ravine and straight into a river, he said.
All passengers on the dump truck died, Polinar said.
The fatalities were the driver Egmedio Arnaiz, Diomedes L. Canoy, Kervin Andog, Larry Llamos, Ronel Cabasag, Jonathan Hamor, Jovanie Babor, and Jonaryl Caguisa – employees of the Bayawan City government, and the student Warren Arseñas
The victims were found motionless and were immediately transported to the Kalumboyan Hospital where they were pronounced dead, he said.
“We are still investigating what happened, we have no direct witness of the incident,” he added.
Rep. Janice Degamo (Neg. Or., 3rd District) said she instructed her staff at her Bayawan City District Office “to personally visit the families of the victims and extend burial assistance to help them in their time of need”.
“Our hallways are quiet, and our hearts are broken for our colleagues from the City Agriculture Office–Engineering Division and the bright OJT student who was alongside them,” a prayer posted on the Bayawan Facebook page said.
“We pray for our local government and the entire community as we navigate this season of grief. Grant us the wisdom to support those who are suffering and the unity to stand together as one family. Help us to honor the memory of the departed by continuing their mission of service with even greater compassion and resolve,” it added.*
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