Alarmed by vehicular accidents along the national highway of EB Magalona, that are being blamed on “human error”, Mayor David Albert Lacson called on the management of the Vallacar Transit Inc. yesterday to impose a speed limit on their bus drivers, while passing thickly populated areas.

Lacson, who met with VTI representatives, following an accident involving two Ceres buses Wednesday at the national highway of Brgy. Santo Niño in EB Magalona, also called on the management to have their drivers undergo rigid training and seminars on driving.

The vehicular accident claimed the lives of four passengers and injury to 47 others.

Lacson suggested a speed limit of from 80 to 100 for bus drivers, and to slow down, while passing the thickly populated areas, especially in EB Magalona. He blamed the vehicular accidents on human error and reckless driving.

The dead were identified as Ronil Anciano, a 23-year-old construction worker, Nemia Pacino, Ronnie Jabaro and Ignacio Cañete.

Leo Ciocon, driver of the Ceres bus bound for Escalante, is now detained at the EB Magalona police jail.

Lacson said he will also request members of the EB Magalona Sangguniang Bayan to pass a resolution calling on the Department of Public Works and Highway to place traffic signs along the highway, cautioning motorists to drive slowly and to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations.

The EB Magalona police investigation showed that the bus driven by Siocon hit the rear of a Ceres bus bound for Bacolod City, that was travelling in the opposite direction. Both of them then fell on their right sides.

Lacson said the VTI representatives told him that they will present his concerns to management.

In December 2012, three persons, two of them minors, were killed, and 10 were injured, when a Ceres Liner passenger bus swerved out of control along the highway of Barangay Damgo in EB Magalona, police records show.

Two years after, a Ceres bus also figured in a collision with a mini-bus in Brgy. Pilar, Hinigaran town on March 2014, that resulted in the death of five persons, and injuries to more than 30 passengers.*GPB

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