G.V. Florida driver recounts bus crash in Mt. Province

MANILA, Philippines - The driver and conductor of the G.V. Florida bus that fell into a ravine in Mt. Province last month appeared before during the hearing on the incident at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday.

Driver Edgar Renon, 30, said he was trying to maneuver the bus when he suddenly lost control of it, as its front right wheel suddenly burst. He said the road was also slippery due to the sand scattered on it.

Moments after Renon lost control, the bus fell into the mountainside, killing 15 people, including comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez and two foreigners. More than 30 other passengers were injured in the incident.

Renon admitted that he was unable to stop the bus when two passengers told him that they were getting off in a waiting shed in Barangay Bayyo, Bontoc town. He said the bus simply slowed down, but it kept on going down the slope.

Alex Versoza, lawyer for G.V. Florida Transport Inc., said investigators found that a piece of metal caused the tire to burst.

He maintained that the brakes were functional, noting that it was engaged during the incident as proven by the fact that the bus slowed down when Renon tried to stop it.

He said the bus might have failed to totally stop because of the “velocity, weight of the bus, and the downhill slope.”

According to Renon, some passengers told him to crash the bus to the mountainside when it became apparent that the brakes were not enough to stop it. He added, however, that he thought that it might not be a good idea as it might hurt the passengers.

He said he was trying to maneuver the bus to the bottom of the slope when the tire burst.

Renon admitted that the only training that he got during his time with G.V. Florida was when he was asked to drive a bus – loaded with passengers – in a different route.

He added that he was part of an apprenticeship program for some time in the Mt. Province Cable and Tours, the previous owner of the license plates attached to the ill-fated bus.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said they will take this into consideration in coming up with the their decision.

Meanwhile, bus conductor Jerymiah Agnapan, 34, testified that Renon took over the steering wheel from another driver, Alexander Lucas Longalong, during their second stopover in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya at around 2 a.m. The incident happened past 7 a.m.

Agnapan said Renon was resting at the back of the bus from 8:35 p.m., when they departed from Manila, until the time when he took over.

He said he jumped off the bus before it fell because he was afraid that Renon had already lost control.

Ginez said they expect to decide on all issues involving the incident on or before March 14.

G.V. Florida Bus Transit was given until March 10 to file its position paper on the case.

Ginez declined to grant the request of the bus company to lift the preventive suspension on some of its buses, saying this might preempt the decision on the main case.

Versoza said they respect the decision of the board, adding that they would have wanted the suspension lifted because their drivers and conductors currently do not earn income for their families.

Meanwhile, some complainants in the case – including Jimenez’s wife Lei and survivor Charley Sta. Maria – rushed to the LTFRB following reports that G.V. Florida has provided financial support for all the victims and survivors of the crash.

Sta. Maria said she and her boyfriend, who also survived the incident, have yet to receive help from the company.

Versoza apologized to the survivors and relatives of the fatalities and invited them to discuss the matter.

Ginez said they have checks amounting to P150,000 each for the families of three victims, including Jimenez’s. He said they are coordinating the release of the checks to their legal representatives.

The lawyers of G.V. Florida said the insurance for victim Ben Sicam has been given to his family, while they are still coordinating with the other families.