Bus firm in mishap seeks settlement with victims

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The management of the Cagayan Valley-based GV Florida Bus Lines has reportedly reached a settlement with some of those injured in last week’s deadly mishap involving one of its units in Bontoc, Mt. Province.  

Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias, Mt. Province police director, said the bus firm’s representative, former police colonel Rudy Villano, has reached an agreement with the recuperating victims. At least 31 passengers were injured in the mishap.

Part of the amicable settlement, according to reports, includes the medicine and hospitalization expenses of those injured who are still recuperating in various hospitals in the Cordilleras and Metro Manila.

Enmodias, however, expressed doubt whether the families of those who died when the GV Florida bus plunged into a ravine, would settle with the company.

The family of the comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez, one of the 14 fatalities, reportedly vowed to pursue criminal and civil actions against the bus firm.

Ghads Rodelias, a friend of victim Katrina Gozos, a graduating college student from Lipa City, Batangas, told The STAR that also he doubts if the Gozos family would give in to a settlement.

The driver of the ill-fated bus, Edgar Reñon, has been discharged from the Bontoc General Hospital and detained after inquest proceedings, Enmodias said.

The court fixed the bail for the 29-year-old Reñon at P80,000 for charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is readying emergency assistance for the more than 600 displaced workers of GV Florida, whose operations were suspended for 30 days.

Lawyer Erwin Aquino, DOLE mediator and arbiter for Cagayan Valley, said their office would extend assistance to the workers, mostly drivers and conductors, whose livelihood have been affected due to the suspension imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“We are still discussing what forms of assistance we would extend. It may be in the form of livelihood or soft loans or temporary employment. Our regional director is now coordinating with our national office about it,” he said.

Aquino said they are also considering long-term assistance to the workers in case the LTFRB would extend its suspension order or revoke the franchise of GV Florida. 

GV Florida’s 288 buses, whose operations practically cover the entire Northern Luzon, have been grounded since Feb. 8 or a day after the Bontoc mishap.

Malacañang on Wednesday reassured the victims’ families that they would still get insurance benefits from GV Florida even if the ill-fated bus was found to be a “colorum” or operating illegally.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez was discussing the matter with the GV Florida management.