LTO released wrong info on truck driver

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 yesterday admitted that they released the wrong information of the driver’s license restrictions of Antonieco Omagay, driver of the prime mover that figured in an accident in Naga City last Wednesday.

LTO also apologized to WT Construction Inc., Omagay’s employer, for their lapse.

They explained that the information they earlier released to the media was that of Omagay’s son, Antonieco Jr., who also works for a forwarding company.

“Our apologies to the WT Construction,” LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos said in his text message.

The clarification came after Tina Roa of WT Construction Inc. denied LTO’s claims that the truck driver was incapable of driving vehicles that weigh 4,501 kilograms and above because his license’s restrictions are only code 1,2 and 3 and prime movers require restriction code 8.

Omagay was one of the ten casualties when the prime mover he was driving bumped into a bus of BT Bus Liner that killed 10 and injured 53 passengers in Barangay Uling, Naga City.

Because of the accident, LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon ordered the management of all bus company to let all their drivers undergo safety seminar and drug testing.

Meanwhile,  Rep. Pablo John Garcia (3rd district) yesterday said he will extend  P20,000 assistance to the family of each fatality and those injured will also get P10,000 each.

Garcia said the amount will be taken from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) deposited to the Capitol as most of the victims are his constituents.

“I hope Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale will not do anything to prevent or hamper the release of my funds,” Garcia said.

Up to now, the families have not received any assistance from Capitol, WTCI or BT Bus Liner.

“I was at VSMMC and heard the concerns of victims and families regarding the lack of certainty as to what the Capitol or the private parties are willing to cover. I hope this will somehow assuage their fears,” Garcia further said.

As of yesterday afternoon, 28 have been discharged from VSMMC while 11 remain confined and 10 are under observation./MBG (FREEMAN)