13 Funerals: The Barili Tragedy

Twelve people perished in a funeral after the garbage truck they used as bus lost brakes and overturned in a steep downhill curve.

In a report from Davinci S. Maru of Sun Star Cebu: The dump truck owned by the Municipality of Barili overturned in Balao, Barili town Thursday afternoon.

It was transporting 60 persons and the coffin of 69-year-old Tranquelina Jagbil on their way to the town's cemetery.
 
Many of the passengers were farmers living in the mountain barangay of Kangdampas.
 
The dump truck driver said the brakes' rubber cap exploded and then he lost control while trying to maneuver a downhill curve.
 
The truck skidded and rolled twice hurling most of the passengers off. Some of those who were killed were pinned down by the truck.

This tragedy indicates we still lack in basic public service. Every municipality should be able to afford a bus for public services like this funeral.

It’s just so sad we only have a worn out garbage truck for transport whenever we want to send a loved-one to the grave.

(Photo courtesy of Sun Star Daily Cebu)