Benguet: The Department of Social Welfare and Development has extended initial assistance to passengers in the road accident involving two provincial buses of Victory Liner and a sports utility vehicle (SUV) along Marcos Highway in Barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet, on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD's Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region reported that a total of 93 individuals were affected, primarily passengers of the two buses. One of the buses overturned after the driver lost control due to the impact. Responding authorities transported 77 affected individuals to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center. Out of those, 65 were discharged after receiving primary treatment, while 12 were confined for further medical care, with one eventually succumbing to injuries.

Meanwhile, 16 individuals were taken to the La Union Medical Center, where 15 of them were immediately discharged, while one remains confined and under observation by attending doctors.

In response to the incident, the DSWD FO CAR quickly deployed composite teams to conduct onsite validation and rapid needs assessment in coordination with the Municipal Local Government Unit of Tuba. Another team was dispatched to visit affected individuals admitted to the BGHMC.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group expressed sympathy to the victims and their families, assuring the public of the department's ongoing efforts. Dumlao stated that 11 patients have already received a total of PHP55,000 in medical assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, and the department continues to assess other patients for additional interventions.

Dumlao emphasized ongoing coordination with local government bodies and various disaster risk reduction and management offices, hospitals, and other concerned agencies to ensure the needs of the affected passengers are addressed, including medical, financial, and psychosocial interventions.