Following a road mishap in La Union on Christmas Day, Senator Grace Poe stressed on Monday the need for a National Transportation Safety Board that will investigate transportation-related accidents to prevent repeats of misfortunes that lead to loss of lives.
At least 20 people, including seven children, died and 15 passengers were injured when a jeepney collided with a bus early morning on Christmas day in Agoo, La Union.
Poe said she is saddened by the deaths and injuries of passengers of the ‘terrible’ La Union accident.
“Higit kailanman, kailangan natin ng isang National Transportation Safety Board na mag-iimbestiga at magbabantay sa mga sakunang pantransportasyon gaya nito upang maiwasan ang mga pagkakamali at pagkukulang na humahantong sa pagkawala ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan [More than ever, we need a National Transportation Safety Board to investigate and to look after transportation disasters like this one so that we can avoid erring and shortcomings that will lead to the death of our countrymen],” Poe said in a statement.
“Lubos nating ikinalulungkot ang pagkasawi at pagkasugat ng mga pasahero sa malagim na aksidente sa La Union [We are deeply saddened on the death of the passengers and those who got injured in the tragic accident in La Union],” she added.
The lady senator also called on the government to conduct a ‘thorough’ investigation on the road incident and to relay the needed aid to the victims.
“Nananawagan tayo sa kinauukulan na magsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon sa naganap na insidente. Habang isinasagawa ito, ibigay natin sa bawat biktima ang tulong na kinakailangan nila [“We are calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation in the recent incident. While it is ongoing, let us give to every victim the assistance they need],” Poe said.
“Paalala ito sa ating mga kababayang nagbibiyahe ngayong Kapaskuhan na magsagawa ng ibayong pag-iingat sa pagmamaneho upang iwasan ang mga sakunang gaya nito [This is a reminder to our fellowmen who are traveling this Christmas to further observe precautions in driving to avoid tragedies like this],” the senator added.
Poe also expressed her condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
“Ang diwa natin ay kapiling ng mga naulila sa aksidente sa madilim na kabanatang ito. Taos-pusong pakikiramay sa mga pamilyang namatayan sa trahedyang ito [Our spirit is together with the victims of the accident in this dark chapter. Our sincere condolences for the loss of the families of this tragedy],” she said.