Cars barred from Lignon Hill following mishap

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda yesterday prohibited all vehicles from going to the top of the 150-meter high Lignon Hill pending an investigation into a road accident that killed a van passenger and injured 14 others in the area last Saturday.

“For public safety upon the advice of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, all vehicular activity on the slopes of Lignon Hill are hereby put on hold until an investigation and evaluation of the vehicular accident has been completed and remedial measures have been instituted,” Salceda said in a special advisory.

A van, driven by one Jessie Arcos, was moving down from Lignon Hill’s viewing deck and negotiating a sharp curve when it lost its brakes and plunged into a ravine.

Most of the injured passengers came from Metro Manila.

Salceda said he would meet with officials of Legazpi City and the local government unit operating Lignon Hill to discuss safety measures and avoid a repeat of the accident.

Senior Superintendent William Macavinta, Albay police director, identified the fatality as Norberto Santillas, a resident of Barangay Sugcad in Libon town.

Albay provincial health officer Dr. Luis Mendoza identified some of those injured as Marcia Monterona, Chona Montenegro, Susie and Jess Suratos, Elizabeth Abion, Mark Santilas, Errol Santillas, Jessie Sabiga, Edna Portino, Catherine Codalla, and Jess Sincioco. – With Celso Amo