HEROES–BUS inspector Jayvoni Fandagani (left) and bus conductor Wilmar Marcelino lost their lives saving passengers in the Antique bus tragedy.
‘Ceres’ inspector, conductor died as heroes’
FOR many, the inspector and conductor of the ill-fated Ceres Bus that plunged into a ravine in Antique last Dec. 5 were just plain fatalities but to those who knew the efforts of the two that cost their lives they were indeed heroes who sacrificed their own lives to save others
According to reports, Jayvoni Fandagani, the inspector, shielded teacher Mica Marie Servano while conductor Wilmar Marcelino protected another passenger and child when the bus fell off a 30-meter ravine in Brgy. Igbucagay.
“Mica only had several contusions because she was covered by Ceres bus inspector Jayvon Fandagani, who unluckily lost his life. May the soul of Jayvon rest in peace,” said Antiqueño environmentalist Bong Sanchez in a viral post.
Marcelino was a conductor for Vallacar Transit, operator of Ceres buses, for 10 years. He was from San Joaquin, Iloilo and survived by his wife and two young children.
“Despite the unfortunate outcome, Marcelino bravely saved an Antiqueña passenger and another child during the incident, shielding them. Regrettably, he didn’t survive, but the pregnant passenger did,” said businessman Flord Nicson Calawag, Marcelino’s townmate in Tibiao, Antique.
The death toll in the tragedy rose to 18 as of December 7.
Meanwhile, Vallacar Transit had established Help Desk centers to provide assistance to the families of 18 fatalities and 11 wounded passengers in connection with the tragic incident.
“The injured passengers are currently admitted to Iloilo Western Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, and Angel Salazar Medical Hospital in San Jose, Antique. The 11 admitted patients are now in stable condition, said Jade Ceballos, Media Relations Officer of Ceres Bus
Dubbed the Ceres Help Desks, the assistance centers are situated in the hospitals and in Hamtik Police Station, Antique.
Ceres employees have been deployed to assist in the release of medical needs and extension of financial support to the families of the victims, according to Ceballos.
The employees are also reaching out to the families of the deceased who have not yet availed of the said assistance, she added.
