LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Sorsogon on Saturday, Jan. 28, expressed its condolences to the families of the two teachers who died in a road accident in Castilla town in the said province.
In a statement, DepEd h n Sorsogon said it will its effort to facilitate the grant and release of financial assistance to the bereaved families.
“They could have already gone to the comfort of their home and family when classes were suspended at noon that day but chose to remain and serve in preparing the classrooms and other necessities for the National Achievement Test this Monday [Jan. 30], not knowing that misfortune lurks in their way,” the statement said..
The public school teachers who died in the incident were Maribel Pardillo and Karen Maquiñana, both 45 years old, assigned to the San Rafael National High School in Castilla.
Lt. Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the spokesperson of the Bicol Police Regional Office, said other fatalities were identified as Erik Dino Deonida, 19; Heidy Albao, 58; Amparo Bajaro, 60; and Janelle Abarientos, 17.
Calubaquib said the driver of the jeepney, Rodolfo Licup Jr., 53, and 13 other passengers were wounded in the incident.
Based on the investigation, the jeepney did a counterflow in the curved lane, causing a head-on collision with a truck driven by Marlon Lorenzo, 51, who was coming from the opposite direction.
Licup was also brought to a hospital for medical treatment and Lorenzo was placed under the custody of the police.
Police said earlier that Licup would be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injury, and damage to property.